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Sacramento Kings hire Rex Kalamian as assistant coach

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Rex Kalamian has been named Assistant Coach.

“I’m excited to add Rex’s experience and perspective to the team,” said Kings Head Coach Luke Walton. “His nearly 30 years in the league will benefit our group and I look forward to working with him.”

Kalamian returns to the Kings after serving as assistant coach from 2007 to 2009. He joins from the Los Angeles Clippers (2018-20), where the team amassed a 97-57 (.629) regular season record during his tenure on Doc Rivers’ staff. Prior to Los Angeles, Kalamian spent three seasons with the Toronto Raptors, serving as the top assistant for Dwane Casey. He helped lead Toronto to a 166-80 (.675) regular season record, the NBA’s third-best over that span, in addition to 2016 Eastern Conference Finals and second round playoff berths in 2017 and 2018.

From 2009-15, he worked with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as the team posted a 316-160 (.664) regular season record, reaching three Western Conference Finals and making one NBA Finals appearance. Before his first stint in Sacramento, Kalamian also coached with Minnesota (2005-07), Denver (2004-05) and the Clippers (1995-2003). He previously served as a scout for Philadelphia (2003-04) and the Clippers (1992-95) before being promoted to assistant coach.

Prior to the NBA, Kalamian worked for two seasons as an assistant at his former school, East Los Angeles College. A graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, Kalamian earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Which Kings players are free agents this NBA offseason?

The Sacramento Kings finished the shortened 2020-21 NBA season with a 31-41 record, placing them 12th in the Western conference. Here’s the Sacramento Bee with a quick free agency overview:

The Kings will have a number of personnel decisions to make when free agency begins. Kent Bazemore, Harry Giles III, Alex Len and Yogi Ferrell will be unrestricted free agents. Bogdan Bogdanovic will be a restricted free agent. Nemanja Bjelica’s $7.2 million salary will become fully guaranteed if he is not waived before the start of free agency.

The Kings were led in scoring last season by De’Aaron Fox at 21.1 points per game, Buddy Hield at 19.2 ppg, Bogdan Bogdanovic at 15.1 ppg, Harrison Barnes at 14.5 ppg, Marvin Bagley III, who played just 13 games, at 14.2 ppg, and Richaun Holmes at 12.3 ppg.

Sacramento Kings hire Wes Wilcox, Phil Jabour and Paul Johnson to basketball operations group

The Sacramento Kings hired Wes Wilcox, Phil Jabour and Paul Johnson to the team’s basketball operations group today.

Wilcox will serve as Assistant General Manager. He will support General Manager Monte McNair in all facets of front office operations including roster construction, strategy and player evaluation. He joins the Kings organization with nearly 20 years of experience in the NBA, including serving as General Manager (2015-17) and Assistant General Manager (2012-15) of the Atlanta Hawks.

Jabour was named Vice President of Player Personnel. He will be primarily responsible for overseeing the structure and processes of the scouting department. He comes to Sacramento’s front office with 14 years of experience in the league, most recently serving as Director of Scouting for the Philadelphia 76ers where he was heavily involved in day-to-day personnel operations, including talent evaluation, leading intel processes and collaborating with player agents.

Johnson was named Director of Basketball Operations and General Manager of the team’s G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. He will lead Stockton’s front office and have a hand in multiple aspects of Kings basketball operations. He joins the Kings basketball operations department with seven years of NBA experience, most recently serving as the Assistant General Manager of the NBA G League’s Oklahoma City Blue.

These three executives join Chief Strategy Officer Joe Dumars, Assistant General Manager Ken Catanella, Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance Teena Murray and Vice President of Kings Academy and Professional Development Galen Duncan in rounding out McNair’s management team.

“I am excited to have Wes, Phil and Paul join the front office,” said McNair. “Wes’ background as an executive in the league combined with Phil’s veteran leadership through the scouting ranks and Paul’s proven experience in evaluating talent will be strong additions to the basketball operations group. Their diverse skill sets and unique perspectives will add valuable knowledge and innovative thinking as we focus on executing our vision of building a winning culture in Sacramento.”

Should the Sixers pursue shooting guard Buddy Hield?

Should the Sixers chase shooting guard Buddy Hield? The idea is just an idea and not a real rumor just yet, as far as we know. But a fan is asking the question to the Philly Voice. The response:

Buddy Hield’s name is going to come up a lot this offseason and for good reason. But I would agree people have been a little overzealous talking about him like he would be the Sixers’ version of Klay Thompson or something.

Let’s start with the positives. Though he fell out of favor with Kings coach Luke Walton last season, there is almost zero doubt Hield’s shooting would translate to any team he plays for. Hield knocked down 39.4 percent of his threes on almost 10 attempts per game, a number that rises to 41.3 percent when you focus strictly on catch-and-shoot threes. On the Sixers, Hield wouldn’t need to do much, if any self-creation, and Doc Rivers has a history of making the most out of guys who can shoot on the move like Hield can.

For the amount of money he’s going to be making — and Hield’s $94 million extension doesn’t kick in until next season — you would just hope Hield could offer something more than shooting prowess. I would agree that he’s not very good defensively despite having the size to be at least average, and he’s not offering you much creation for himself or others.

A big question regarding the Sixers is how they’ll be using Ben Simmons going forward. Should he continue at point guard, where he has a big size advantage, but while lacking an ability to stretch the defense due to his limited shooting range? Or should they make him a point-forward, and stick another shooter in the backcourt?

The answer to this question will help determine who the Sixers should go after in trade or the free agent market this offseason.

Sacramento Kings hire Alvin Gentry as Associate Head Coach

The Sacramento Kings have hired Alvin Gentry as Associate Head Coach.

“I’m excited to add Alvin’s valuable experience and leadership to the team,” said Walton. “His veteran coaching perspective will be a great addition and I look forward to working with him again to continue developing our group.”

Gentry brings more than 35 years of coaching experience to the Sacramento bench. He most recently served as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, where he guided the team to 48 wins during the 2018-19 regular season – the third most in team history – and a trip to the NBA Playoffs, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals for only the second time in franchise history.

Prior to New Orleans, Gentry was the Associate Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, helping lead the team to the 2015 NBA Championship. Alvin has also previously served as head coach for the Miami Heat (1995), Detroit Pistons (1997-2000), Los Angeles Clippers (2000-2003) and Phoenix Suns (2008-2013). In 1,105 games, Gentry has garnered a career record of 510-595 (.462).

With Gentry at the helm of the Suns, he guided Phoenix to the 2010 Western Conference Finals following a 54-28 regular season record – the fourth best in Phoenix franchise history – and led the NBA in scoring with 110.2 points per game.

The Shelby, North Carolina native was a point guard at Appalachian State, where he earned a degree in management (1977) prior to his coaching career.

Sixers and Kings reportedly interested in coach Alvin Gentry as an assistant

There’s movement in NBA coaching ranks these days. The Sixers have reportedly agreed to make Doc Rivers their new head coach. Here’s the Sacramento Bee on jobs one former head coach may be offered:

The Kings are reportedly considering former New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry for a top job on Luke Walton’s coaching staff.

A source told The Philadelphia Enquirer’s Keith Pompey the Philadelphia 76ers are seriously considering hiring Gentry as an assistant to new head coach Doc Rivers. The same source revealed Gentry is also in the running to become associate head coach of the Kings.

The most interesting head coaching news in recent weeks might be former NBA star point guard Steve Nash getting the Nets’ head coaching job. Brooklyn’s roster is loaded with talent, and watching how Nash manages the rotation and what sort of schemes he comes up with will be loads of fun.

New Kings general manager Monte McNair has a lot of work ahead of him

New Kings general manager Monte McNair has a lot of work ahead of him, sorting out a roster that is filled with talent and potential but also plenty of question marks. Here’s the Sacramento Bee reviewing McNair’s words on De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Marvin Bagley and more:

One of the more interesting aspects of this change in leadership will be McNair’s assessment of the roster former general manager Vlade Divac assembled over the past five years. Not long ago the organization was putting up posters and billboards featuring the promising young core of Fox, Hield, Bogdanovic, Bagley and Harry Giles III.

McNair now has to look at how those pieces fit and what else the Kings will need to end the NBA’s longest active playoff drought following 14 consecutive losing seasons. He offered some initial thoughts on a few of the team’s best players during Wednesday’s news conference.

He pointed to Fox’s speed and ability to create on offense and said Bagley’s injuries are just part of the game.

“I know he’s already working hard this offseason and I’m really excited to work with Luke and see him develop,” McNair said.

One of McNair’s most interesting answers came in response to a question about Hield, who grew unhappy after being moved into a backup role last season. Social media users have noted Hield seems to be flirting with Philadelphia 76ers fans who covet him in trade rumors, but Hield possesses the one skill McNair might value most.

“I think we all know in this league spacing is of the utmost importance and Buddy is one of the absolute elite shooters in this league, and we’re going to be able to utilize that skill set as we implement our system,” McNair said.

The Kings finished 12th in the West this shortened season, finishing with a 31-41 record. Fox led the squad in scoring at 21.1 PPG, with Hield second at 19.2 PPG, Bogdanovic third at 15.1 PPG, Harrison Barnes fourth at 14.5 PPG, and Bagley, who missed most of the season, fifth at 14.2 PPG.

For now, it sounds like head coach Luke Walton’s job is safe.

Sacramento Kings hire Monte McNair as General Manager

The Sacramento Kings have hired Monte McNair as General Manager. In this role, McNair will be responsible for all decisions made in the Kings basketball operations department and serve as the team’s top basketball executive reporting to the owner and chairman. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Monte is one of the NBA’s top basketball minds who has played an instrumental role in building several winning teams in Houston,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “I am excited to bring his extensive experience and vision onboard to lead our basketball operations department, and it is my pleasure to welcome Monte and his family to Sacramento.”

“I am thrilled to join the Kings organization and honored to shape the franchise’s bright future for the team’s loyal fans,” said McNair. “I would like to thank Vivek for this opportunity and look forward to becoming a part of the Sacramento community.”

A native of Oak Park, California, McNair returns to his home state from the Houston Rockets, where he has held the title of Assistant General Manager since 2018. Prior to that, McNair led the analytic efforts of the Rockets basketball operations department where he worked closely with Houston’s coaching staff to provide on-court strategy and analysis along with opponent preparation.

During his time in Houston, the organization has reached the NBA Playoffs over the course of eight consecutive seasons, including two trips to the Western Conference Finals, while amassing seven seasons with 50+ wins.

Over his 13 years with the Rockets, McNair was involved with all aspects of player evaluation, including trade, free agency and the Draft. He began his career in Houston as a Basketball Operations Senior Analyst in 2007, was promoted to Director of Basketball Operations in 2013 and became Vice President of Basketball Operations in 2016.

Before joining the Rockets, McNair worked as a sports programmer and researcher at STATS LLC. McNair played football at Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.

Sacramento Kings name Joe Dumars as Chief Strategy Officer

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Joe Dumars has been named Chief Strategy Officer. In this new role, he will continue to report to the owner and chairman, and help drive strategy across the organization’s entire portfolio of activities, including business, basketball, new ventures, entertainment and real estate.

“Joe’s business acumen along with his deep experience in the league will serve as a valuable resource across the organization,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “He has achieved proven results in the corporate world on top of many notable accolades as a player and basketball executive, and I am excited to have him serve in this position.”

“I want to thank Vivek for this opportunity and look forward to supporting both sides of the business as we work together to build the successful future that this franchise and community deserves,” said Dumars.

In June 2019, Dumars joined the Kings as Special Advisor to the General Manager, most recently serving as Interim Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.

Sacramento Kings search for new general manager

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings and their search for a new general manager:

The search for a new general manager is underway in Sacramento. The Kings have talked for years about changing the culture within the organization. Now they have to find the right person for the job.

That would have been incredibly difficult, given the abbreviated offseason schedule with the NBA Draft set for Oct. 16 and the start of free agency set to begin Oct. 18, but it appears the Kings will catch a big break. All signs point to those dates being pushed back several weeks along with the start of the 2020-21 season, which was scheduled to begin Dec. 1.

Moving back the start of free agency will also move back the Oct. 17 guarantee date on Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica’s $7.2 million contract for next season. These delays would give the Kings time to wait for candidates whose teams are in the playoffs and increase the likelihood they will make a hire before they have to start making important roster decisions.