The Nuggets can create a second coaching opening but are naturally expected to give strong consideration to simply naming interim coach David Adelman as the full-time successor to Michael Malone after Adelman landed in two Game 7s in his maiden taste of the playoffs as a head coach after replacing Malone with just three games to go in the regular season. Reminder: The other three interim coaches in the NBA this season — San Antonio’s Mitch Johnson, Sacramento’s Doug Christie and Memphis’ Tuomas Iisalo — all ultimately landed the full-time job.
Sacramento Kings Rumors
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Bobby Jackson re-joins Kings as assistant coach
Michael Scotto: The Sacramento Kings have added Bobby Jackson as an assistant coach to Doug Christie’s staff, agent Andy Miller of @KlutchSports told @hoopshype. Jackson played six of his 12 NBA seasons in Sacramento, including five as Christie’s teammate, and was a Kings assistant coach twice.
Jonas Valanciunas recently shared details about how he learned of his trade to the Sacramento Kings. The veteran center revealed that his close teammate on the National team, Domantas Sabonis, played a key role in breaking the news and that there were other teams interested in him. “I found out I was going to Domas (Sabonis),” JV said during a Lithuanian podcast with BasketNews. There were other teams in the mix — some new potential destinations.” “But there wasn’t much talk about Domas and Sacramento. Denver (Nuggets) came up, Phoenix (Suns) too — things were unclear there with Nurkic. San Antonio (Spurs) was also in the picture. So yeah, there were a few teams,” he added.
Jonas Valanciunas: “I’m telling you, Domas is truly one of the most talented centers. He’s the fourth most efficient NBA player—I checked it today. That’s never happened in Lithuanian history. Fourth most efficient player in the entire NBA! I think he’s easily top 5, even top 3 among centers. And I have no problem substituting for him. If we’re winning, if he’s playing well—I’ve talked to the coach, to him too—go, dominate, if you need me—I’m here, if not—I’m still here.”
Furthermore, 76ers assistant coach Bobby Jackson is a potential candidate to re-join the Sacramento Kings on Doug Christie’s staff, league sources told HoopsHype. Jackson spent six of his 12 NBA seasons in Sacramento and was an assistant in Sacramento during two previous stints.
Sacramento expected to gauge trade market for DeMar DeRozan
The focus in the California capital shifts now to what sort of dealing we could see from the Kings’ new regime. There has been no shortage of rumbles, since the hiring of Scott Perry as general manager, that Sacramento is expected to gauge the trade market for veteran swingman DeMar DeRozan.
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Sean Cunningham: Kings head coach Doug Christie on the hiring of Mike Woodson, a member of the first Sacramento Kings team, as his Associate Head coach. “Mike Woodson brings decades of coaching experience to this staff. His impact will be extremely valuable, & I’m looking forward to getting to work with him.”