Agent: Here’s why Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown wants Kings’ coaching job
The Kings were awaiting the arrival of Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown on Thursday as they entered what could be the final hours of their coaching search.
One question that has lingered in league circles is whether Brown would be willing to leave a good situation with Golden State to take on a reclamation project in Sacramento, where the Kings are trying to end an NBA-record 16-year playoff drought.
NBA agent Warren LeGarie, Brown’s representative at WGL Management, addressed that question in an exclusive interview with The Sacramento Bee, saying Brown is prepared to accept the job if the Kings offer it to him.
“Mike is willing to take the job based on the fact that he knows he’ll be supported and have a chance to win,” LeGarie said. “He sees this as a good job and looks forward to being asked to be the head coach.”
LeGarie said the job is appealing to Brown for a number of reasons.
“First and foremost, he likes the people who are working there,” LeGarie said. “He loves the arena. He thinks that’s a natural resource that will help attract players because you’ve always got to have a place where the fans are involved and the facilities are terrific. And he believes the team has enough talent to give them a real solid chance of becoming a playoff contender.”
Brown, 52, is one of three finalists in Sacramento. Brooklyn Nets coaching adviser Steve Clifford and ESPN analyst Mark Jackson visited Sacramento earlier this week. Brown was expected to arrive in Sacramento for his formal interview Thursday evening after having an informal meeting with team officials Wednesday outside of Sacramento.
Kings general manager Monte McNair and his staff held virtual meetings with several candidates during the first round of interviews last week. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive did not participate in the first round of interviews, but he has been involved in this week’s interviews with finalists, sources said.
Brown would check some important boxes for the Kings as a defensive-minded coach with head coaching experience and a record of success in the NBA. Brown has a 347-216 (.616) record with six playoff appearances in eight seasons as a head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.
Brown has served as Steve Kerr’s lead assistant for the past six years as Golden State’s associate head coach. The Warriors returned to California late Tuesday night after suffering a 106-101 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinals series. The series is tied going into Game 3 on Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco.
The Kings are in the final stages of a coaching search that started April 11 when interim coach Alvin Gentry was relieved of his duties. A decision is expected by the end of the week.
This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 4:35 PM.
