Favorite Emerges For Sacramento Kings Coaching Job

A front-runner has emerged for the unenviable task of trying to lead the Sacramento Kings back to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. According to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the man who's 5th on the All-Time Assists list leads the way. 

"Early indications during this round of interviews are that (Mark) Jackson is the front-runner and Kings chairman Vivek Ranadive's favorite to emerge as Sacramento's replacement for interim head coach Alvin Gentry, league sources told B/R," wrote Fischer.

Mark Jackson is currently meeting with Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair, according to a source.

— Franklin Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) May 3, 2022

Jackson held his in-person meeting with Kings' GM Monte McNair this afternoon, according to beat reporter Franklin Cartoscelli.  

Ranadive has apparently been a longtime fan of Jackson's, having worked with him a decade ago when the two were in Golden State, and also pushing the Kings in 2020 to bring Jackson in for an associate head coaching position (that eventually went to Alvin Gentry).

If any man is qualified to bring a franchise out of the depths of anonymity, it could be Jackson. He has some experience in this realm. 

As head coach of the Golden State Warriors ten years ago, he led them to only their 2nd playoff appearance in 19 seasons when he took a team led by a youthful Splash Brothers tandem of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson into the postseason in 2012-13. The next season Jackson repeated the feat, making it the first Warriors team in 22 years to reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. 

Jackson, with his legendary point guard chops, may even be able to elevate the Kings' dynamic PG De'Aaron Fox to the next level. 

Sacramento relieved interim head coach Gentry of his duties after the regular season last month. 

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports