Report: Ranadivé, McNair Appear Split On New Head Coach Preference
May 3, 2022, 8:51 AM | Updated: 9:08 am
(USA Today Sports)
(USA Today Sports)
It’s never an easy process in Sacramento, is it?
According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé has established that his favorite candidate for the franchise’s vacant head coaching position is former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson.
But wait, there’s more:
In the report, Fischer also shares that Kings general manager Monte McNair’s preferred choice is that of current Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown.
Early indications during this round of interviews are that Jackson is the front-runner and Kings chairman Vivek Ranadive’s favorite to emerge as Sacramento’s replacement for interim head coach Alvin Gentry, league sources told B/R.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation believe (Mike) Brown is the favorite among McNair’s front office.
Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer – May 3, 2022
After McNair conducted the first round of interviews virtually over Zoom, Ranadivé is reportedly joining the rest of the Sacramento front office during this week’s second round of interviews that will take place in person at the team’s basketball operations offices at Golden 1 Center.
Steve Clifford, former Charlotte Hornets head coach and current consultant for the Brooklyn Nets, was seen walking with McNair near Golden 1 Center on Monday as a signal that the second round of interviews is officially underway.
Sam Amick of The Athletics shared on Monday that Clifford was set to interview Monday, with Jackson scheduled to come in for his sit-down on Tuesday. Brown, who is currently with Golden State in Memphis for the Western Conference semifinals, will interview later this week once the team returns to San Francisco.
So, where does this leave the Kings?
If these reports are accurate (based on this team’s track record, we can rightfully assume that they are), Vivek Ranadivé and Monte McNair want different outcomes when it comes to selecting a new head coach.
Who gets the final call?
If it isn’t McNair, this is a massive problem for Sacramento after it appeared that Ranadivé had begun to distance himself from the basketball decision-making minds in the front office and stay in his lane as an owner.
According to Fischer, McNair isn’t alone in the Mike Brown side of things. Assistant general manager Wes Wilcox worked with Brown while both were employed by the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 through 2010.
For a team that hasn’t made the postseason in 16 years, this decision has to be right. A decision of this much importance must be made by those that are most credible, most experienced, and most trusted.
In other words: this decision must be made by the front office that is full of experienced basketball minds.
As it appears we are moving towards the finish line in this coaching search, we will see who ends up making that final call. Over the past year, we have heard multiple times that McNair has full authority and final say on basketball-related moves.
We’re about to find out if that’s actually true.
