There’s a lingering hint of uncertainty regarding whether the Sacramento Kings and Mike Brown will reach a deal. Just last week, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that talks between Brown and the Kings had hit a snag. However, recent developments suggest progress in their negotiations.
The offer on the table is rumored to resemble the one received by Jason Kidd from the Dallas Mavericks, according to Sean Cunningham of FOX40 News. Brown, seeking an annual salary around $10 million, is eyeing a figure comparable to Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer’s earnings, as reported by The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson.
Brown, whose coaching career took off during LeBron James’s tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, will enter the final year of his contract in 2024-25.
Since joining the Kings in 2022, Brown has experienced both rapid success and setbacks.
In the 2022-23 season, Sacramento surprised many by winning 48 games and clinching a playoff spot as the No. 3 seed. This marked a significant turnaround for a team that had struggled with a 30-52 record the previous season, placing them fourth from the bottom in the Western Conference. Brown’s coaching prowess was evident in his ability to maximize De’Aaron Fox’s performance, leading to Fox’s first All-Star selection, and in molding Domantas Sabonis into an All-NBA caliber center by adapting the offensive system to his strengths.
However, the Kings regressed in the 2023-24 season. Fox relied too heavily on his jump shot, Sabonis’s defensive shortcomings became apparent, and Keegan Murray struggled with his shooting efficiency. Additionally, Sacramento struggled in games against weaker opponents, finishing with an 18-23 record against sub-.500 teams.
Despite finishing with a 46-36 record, not far from their previous season’s performance, the Kings landed as the No. 9 seed, necessitating wins in the Play-In Tournament to secure a playoff berth.