The Kings' summer priority is obviously Malik Monk, who will be difficult to keep. However, there is another hot file to manage: the contractual situation of Mike Brown. No need to panic it seems since the coach is under contract until 2026. But it's more complicated than that…
Indeed, the former Cleveland coach had signed for four seasons in 2022, with an optional final year, by mutual agreement. So next season is the last guarantee, and that changes things.
According to The Athletic, the coach of the year 2023 would like a long-term contract extension. To take advantage of recent salary inflation: Steve Kerr (17.5 million per season), Gregg Popovich (16), Erik Spoelstra (15) and Monty Williams (13) have blown the counters and Mike Brown wants his piece of the pie.
Especially since he revived the Kings, deprived of playoffs for 16 seasons and who played a first round in 2023, then the “play-in” this spring, with regular seasons with 48 and 46 victories.
Can the lack of extension weigh down the coach and his team?
However, according to our colleagues, Vivek Ranadivé, the owner of the franchise, is in no hurry to offer him a big contract extension. We are in a “wait & see” situation, especially after the absence of playoffs this season.
Isn't it risky to start the 2024/25 financial year without giving your coach assurance that he will be retained for the long term? There is certainly still this 2025/26 season to activate, but Mike Brown could take it badly and thus decide not to continue the adventure after the summer of 2025. And this uncertainty around the coach could also spoil the atmosphere throughout next season, which will be that of redemption for the Kings.
Will the two camps find an agreement during the off-season, just to satisfy everyone and above all to calmly approach the resumption of competition in October?
