The Sacramento Kings made a shocking decision to let go of head coach Mike Brown on Friday, sending shockwaves throughout the league. While the Kings hadn't found much success this season, not many saw this move coming, at least so soon.
Read more: Kings Shockingly Fire HC Mike Brown Following Poor Start to Season
Sacramento sits with a record of 13-18 on the season and is currently on a five-game losing streak. But parting with the 2023 Coach of the Year wasn't on the bingo card for likely moves, especially since he had been extended through 2027 just this past offseason.
Nonetheless, the Kings believe that this is a way forward and see this decision as a way to salvage things. Sacramento named assistant Doug Christie as the interim head coach and they will likely go through a more thorough search in the offseason for a permanent solution.
Read more: 5 Potential Kings Head Coach Candidates to Replace Mike Brown
But for now, Sacramento is focused on turning the year around. This team still has the playoffs in its sights and wants to remain competitive.
Following the dismissal of Brown, Kings guard Malik Monk had a direct message for the Sacramento fanbase. It was a message of positivity and something that the fans may need.
"Sorry, fans. We are going to turn it around."
If the Kings want to turn things around, they will need to start quickly. Sacramento opens Christie's coaching tenure without Brown against the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that has beaten them three times this season already.
Additionally, Sacramento has been in the news regarding trade rumors for point guard De'Aaron Fox. If anything, getting to the postseason could quiet those and keep Fox happy, at least for the time being.
Read more: Lakers, Rockets Headline Potential Landing Spots For Star Guard Amid Trade Rumors
Fox has started his desire to remain in Sacramento but winning does most of the talking for star players. The guard has challenged the Kings to continue competing at a high level, even before Brown was let go.
"But I want to make sure that we're in that position to be competing and competing at a high level for a long time, not just fighting for a playoff spot. Obviously, the way that the West is going, we have to continue to get better as players and as a team, as an organization. And, I mean, I'm not saying I'm not staying or that I am staying. But I would love to be here, and I want to make sure that we're competing at a high level."
The Kings have the pieces in place to compete in the Western Conference but it'll be up to them to execute everything. With Brown out of the picture, there can be no more excuses for this team moving forward.
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