Though Brown signed a four-year …

Though Brown signed a four-year deal, sources say Kings GM Monte McNair is entering the final season of his contract and there have been no talks about a possible extension. No matter how you look at it, that means there’s significant pressure on McNair as the Kings try — yet again — to break the league-long playoff drought that has become the bane of their existence.

McNair has a ton of work to do in order …

McNair has a ton of work to do in order to finish out the roster, but he has a vision for this franchise and it includes a head coach that fits the style of play and culture that he is looking to build. The goal is to bring in a defensive-minded coach with head coaching experience. Sources have confirmed this, but so does the eyeball test of the three men left standing.

Mark Jackson the preferred candidate of Kings owner Vivek Ranadive?

Former Orlando and Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford has interviewed and so has former Golden State coach and ESPN analyst Mark Jackson. Sources say, Mike Brown, the Golden State associate head coach whose team is tied, 1-1, in its West semifinal series with Memphis, spent informal time with Kings officials on Wednesday and has his formal interview on Thursday. As Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer noted on Tuesday, there is indeed a strong sense from sources close to the situation that Jackson is the preferred candidate of Kings owner Vivek Ranadive. But the Kings insist there’s a level playing field, and that second-year general manager Monte McNair will be given the leeway to make the final decision.

Joe Dumars wanted more control over Kings front office

Joe Dumars’ contract was expiring, and I’m told he wanted more direct control over the front office if he was going to return. In Dumars’ desired structure, Monte McNair would have reported to him rather than Ranadivé. Ranadivé didn’t share an …

Joe Dumars’ contract was expiring, and I’m told he wanted more direct control over the front office if he was going to return. In Dumars’ desired structure, Monte McNair would have reported to him rather than Ranadivé. Ranadivé didn’t share an interest in that sort of setup, and now Dumars has opted for this prominent role with the league. Considering the bizarre way the Kings’ GM search unfolded nearly two years ago, when Dumars showed strong signs of wanting the job he would later play a pivotal part in filling, none of this should come as a surprise. A source with knowledge of the situation said it does not appear Dumars’ role will be filled.

Source: Sam Amick @ The Athletic

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Sam Amick @sam_amick
The latest on the Kings coaching search, intel on Joe Dumars’ mysterious exit and the reality that – with the final Steve Clifford, Mark Jackson and Mike Brown interviews underway – defense is the clear priority here, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/3289972/2022/0…5:30 PM
Rod Beard @detnewsRodBeard
#Pistons icon Joe Dumars joins NBA as head of basketball operations: bit.ly/3MFi3qW1:49 PM
Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Hall of Famer Joe Dumars leaves Sacramento Kings to take high-ranking job in NBA office
sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac…1:41 PM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Joe Dumars named Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations sportando.basketball/en/joe-dumars-…1:38 PM
James Ham @James_HamNBA
Joe Dumars leaves Kings for new post with NBA: pic.twitter.com/9VzYCM0Vrc1:07 PM

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
The NBA announced today that Joe Dumars has been appointed Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. – 1:07 PM
Brian Mahoney @briancmahoney
Joe Dumars hired as NBA executive vice president, head of basketball operations. Doesn’t start until next week, so can’t come in and do anything about downgrading Draymond Green’s flagrant foul. – 1:07 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Joe Dumars, a Hall of Fame player, distinguished team executive and NBA champion with more than 30 years of experience in the league, has been appointed NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. – 1:06 PM
Howard Beck @HowardBeck
Joe Dumars has been named EVP and head of basketball ops for the NBA. pic.twitter.com/tzbYyp5V4x1:06 PM

Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
NBA just announced that they have appointed Joe Dumars as Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. – 1:05 PM
JD Shaw @JShawNBA
The NBA has appointed Hall of Famer Joe Dumars as Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations, per release. – 1:05 PM

More on this storyline

Today, the Sacramento Kings announced plans to unveil a refurbished court, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, at Sacramento Central YMCA. This project is part of the NBA’s initiative to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the league by creating more than 50 new live, learn or play centers. The Sacramento Kings and Kaiser Permanente will celebrate with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the YMCA on Saturday, April 30.  “As we reflect on 75 years of the NBA, we celebrate the game’s positive impact on communities and its ability to bring people together,” said Sacramento Kings President of Business Operations John Rinehart. “We are thrilled to continue to partner with Kaiser Permanente to prioritize wellness and enhance Sacramento Central YMCA’s resources for our community.” -via NBA.com / April 26, 2022
Sean Cunningham: Monte McNair is restructuring the Sacramento Kings basketball ops department. Asst. GM Ken Catanella will not be back, sources tell me. His contract was coming to an end & will not be renewed after 6 seasons with the team. He is a valuable resource with a ton of experience -via Twitter @SeanCunningham / April 12, 2022

In the wake of the Kings narrowing …

In the wake of the Kings narrowing their list of coaching candidates down to three finalists — Steve Clifford, Mark Jackson and Mike Brown — sources say they’ve begun the second and final round of interviews in Sacramento. The first round took place via Zoom, and general manager Monte McNair, assistant general manager Wes Wilcox and (now-departed) chief strategy officer Joe Dumars took part without Ranadivé’s involvement. As our Shams Charania reported Monday morning, Dumars — whom the Kings hired in June 2019 — has accepted a role as the league’s executive vice president, head of basketball operations.

The final round of Kings interviews, …

The final round of Kings interviews, which now includes Ranadivé, is in person in Sacramento. Clifford, the former Charlotte and Orlando coach who spent last season as a Brooklyn Nets consultant, interviewed Sunday and continued his visit Monday. Jackson, the former Golden State coach who spent the past eight years as an ESPN analyst and who was with the Warriors during Ranadivé’s time there as a minority owner, is up next. Brown, the Warriors associate head coach whose team is in Memphis for Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Wednesday, is expected to present his vision for this team that went 30-52 last season later this week.

Joe Dumars wanted more control over Kings front office

Joe Dumars’ contract was expiring, and I’m told he wanted more direct control over the front office if he was going to return. In Dumars’ desired structure, Monte McNair would have reported to him rather than Ranadivé. Ranadivé didn’t share an interest in that sort of setup, and now Dumars has opted for this prominent role with the league. Considering the bizarre way the Kings’ GM search unfolded nearly two years ago, when Dumars showed strong signs of wanting the job he would later play a pivotal part in filling, none of this should come as a surprise. A source with knowledge of the situation said it does not appear Dumars’ role will be filled.

McNair offered broader parameters when …

McNair offered broader parameters when asked if previous head coaching experience will be a prerequisite. “I think there’s a lot of characteristics that coaches will bring to the table,” McNair said. “We’ve seen successful coaches from many different backgrounds, so we’re not going to put any specifics or priorities on that. We’re going to interview. It’s going to be very comprehensive. We’re going to have a lot of people we’re going to talk to and we want to let them tell us what they’re excited about with the team as well as, certainly, our own thoughts.”