The latest volley was lobbed Thursday night in the far-too-public Mike Brown contract negotiations. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Kings have made a “competitive” offer for 3 years and $21 million, with incentives that could bring it as high as $27 million.
The Sacramento Kings have made a competitive offer to head coach Mike Brown on a contract extension – three years and $21 million through 2026-27, up to $27 million with bonuses, sources say. So far, no agreement. Brown is believed to be seeking around $10 million annually.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 31, 2024
The inclusion of calling this a “competitive” offer is both laughable and painfully transparent that this intel came from the Kings organization and/or ownership. $7 million per year a day after Ty Lue signed a 5 year deal worth $14 million per year is so completely tone deaf.
But the real issue here is the way the Kings are showing their cheapness so publicly. Let’s be clear, it seems likely that a deal gets done and Mike Brown will probably end up making somewhere between $8-$9 million per year. But it’s embarrassing that the Kings are dragging out negotiations, and making them public in a way that only harms the reputation of the organization. It’s unbelievable that the org is willing to sacrifice their public image over a couple million dollars.
And yes, I know a million dollars is still a ton of money, but not in NBA terms. If you own an NBA team, a million here or there (especially when it doesn’t count against the cap) is simply the cost of the business you’re in. If that’s an issue, get out of the industry. For context, the Kings paid $550k to Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta for a couple weeks of training camp before cutting them to sign JaVale McGee. $3 million per year is less than the Kings are paying Chris Duarte. That’s the difference you’re going to upset your coach and your fans over?
The Kings have every right to negotiate with Mike Brown. That’s smart business. But airing your dirty laundry and exposing how cheap you’re being is just foolish, especially when free agency is coming up and the Kings are going to try to convince players that this is a series organization worth joining. The Kings are also still trying to convince Malik Monk to return for less than what the open market can offer him. And don’t kid yourself, the players will notice how the organization is handling this.
I feel confident that an extension will get worked out, the Kings just need to quit leaking the ugly details of the process.
