NBA Coaching Carousel: Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings Seek New Leadership
As we approach the final stretch of the NBA’s regular season, the coaching carousel is already in full swing. With just two weeks left, two head coaching positions have opened up, creating a buzz around the league. On Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies made headlines by parting ways with their longtime coach, Taylor Jenkins. This move comes almost three months after the Sacramento Kings dismissed Mike Brown amid a losing streak in late December.
With these two vacancies, the question on everyone’s mind is: will more coaching jobs open up in the coming weeks? Last season saw seven teams change their head coaches, including three playoff teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns. Let’s dive into the current coaching vacancies and explore the pros and cons of each, along with potential candidates to fill these roles.
Memphis Grizzlies
- 2024-25 record: 44-31 (No. 5 in West)
- Previous coach: Taylor Jenkins (fired March 28; assistant Tuomas Iisalo takes over on interim basis)
- Lead executive: Zach Kleiman (hired in 2019)
Positive: A promising young core
Despite facing injuries throughout the season, the Grizzlies have managed to maintain a strong position in the Western Conference standings. They boast the league’s fifth-best net rating, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Houston Rockets. With stars like Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis has a core that is entering its prime, setting the stage for potential contention for the rest of the decade. Zach Kleiman has demonstrated a knack for finding talented second-round and undrafted players, providing the Grizzlies with a deep and versatile roster.
One NBA executive likened this team to the Cleveland Cavaliers last season before Kenny Atkinson’s arrival, suggesting that a similar boost is possible for Memphis.
Negatives: Small market, recent instability
Memphis is not considered a glamour market in the NBA, and the team has experienced significant friction and uncertainty over the past year. The Grizzlies fired nearly Jenkins’ entire coaching staff last summer, bringing in new faces like Iisalo and Noah LaRoche. Jenkins and LaRoche were both dismissed recently, adding to the instability.
Additionally, the roster has faced numerous injuries and off-court issues with Morant. Despite these challenges, the team has managed to mitigate Morant’s absence with the help of its other stars, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, and its impressive depth.
Who could get the job?
Although Tuomas Iisalo currently holds the interim tag, there is an expectation that he will receive a serious look for the permanent position. The Grizzlies brought him from Europe last offseason, and he will have the opportunity to prove himself in the playoffs. If Iisalo is not chosen, the next steps for Memphis remain uncertain.
Sacramento Kings
- 2024-25 record: 36-39 (No. 10 in West)
- Previous coach: Mike Brown (fired in December; assistant Doug Christie takes over on interim basis)
- Lead executive: Monte McNair (hired in 2020)
Positive: Veteran, ready-to-win talent
While it may be challenging to envision Sacramento winning a title with its current roster, the team does possess a competitive lineup. With players like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk, the Kings have the potential to be competitive in every game. This level of talent makes the Kings’ vacancy more appealing compared to typical open coaching positions.
With all these players under team control for at least a couple more seasons, there is an opportunity for them to develop chemistry and play together, adding to the appeal for a new coach.
Negatives: Small market, decades of instability
The Kings’ history is a testament to the challenges of this job. Since moving to Sacramento in 1984, only two coaches have achieved a full season with a winning record: Rick Adelman, who did it for eight consecutive seasons from 1999 to 2006, and Mike Brown in the past two seasons. Sacramento has made the playoffs in just three of the 33 seasons not coached by Adelman, highlighting the difficulty of this position.
The recent departure of assistant general manager Wes Wilcox, who took the GM job for the Utah Utes, adds to the potential for further destabilization this offseason. Additionally, the club’s reluctance to pay into the luxury tax, a stance maintained by owner Vivek Ranadive, poses another challenge.
Who could get the job?
Doug Christie, with his long-standing ties to the organization dating back to his days as a starter on the iconic early 2000s teams under Adelman, has done a commendable job since taking over for Brown. Christie is likely to be considered for the permanent role, but Ranadive has a history of hiring big names, such as George Karl, Dave Joerger, Luke Walton, and Brown. Therefore, there’s a possibility that he may pursue a high-profile candidate this summer.
Originally Written by: Tim Bontemps
