There’s been talk over the last few weeks about pending contract extension negotiations for Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown. Brown had a mutual option year in the final year of his contract, and according to James Ham that option was not exercised. Earlier reports from Sam Amick and Anthony Slater indicated Brown would be seeking $10 million plus per year:
Success has a price tag. Steve Kerr ($17.5 million annually), Gregg Popovich ($16 million) and Monty Williams ($13 million) have reset the coaching market since Brown signed his deal. He wouldn’t command Kerr or Popovich money, but it’s fair to assume, considering reputation and résumé, the offer would need to reach double-digit million annually.
Yahoo’s Jake Fischer confirmed the target price tag.
But then a report dropped Friday evening in a very well-timed Friday News Dump. During a playoff game, on a Friday night going into a long holiday weekend, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the talks have been put on hold.
ESPN Sources: After engaging in contract extension discussions, the Sacramento Kings and coach Mike Brown have tabled talks. There remains a gulf on a potential deal for Brown, who has one guaranteed season left on his contract. pic.twitter.com/AvYy4gaDGR
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 25, 2024
The timing of this, as well as the source, indicates to me that the Kings want this story out now, when it will fly a little under the radar, because they know they’re going to look bad here. Mike Brown is one of just two coaches in the Sacramento-era of Kings basketball to have won more than 40 games in a season, the other being Rick Adelman.
The Kings cannot be cheap here. Mike Brown has earned a raise, and he has earned it regardless of what happens next. According to James Ham’s report linked above, the Kings have already had Brown on a really cheap deal:
According to league sources, Brown’s contract with the team was for three seasons with a mutual option for a fourth year. He is set to make less than $5 million this season and with rising coaching salaries around the league, the fourth year option wasn’t exercised. It should also be noted that Brown’s current salary is less per year than the Kings paid their previous head coach, Luke Walton.
The Kings got great value on the first two years of Brown’s deal. Now it’s time to pay up. The fact the Kings are currently paying Mike Brown – a GOOD head coach – less than they paid Luke Walton – an ATROCIOUS head coach – is embarassing. I’m sure Vivek is gun shy about extending Walton and then being forced to eat the contract, but that’s only because Vivek has had to do it so many times with poorly chosen GMs and head coaches. When you get a hire right, you stick with it.
The aura of the KANGZ always lurks just around the corner. If the Kings want to maintain the culture of respectability that Mike Brown has helped establish in Sacramento, then they need to do the respectable thing and get a deal done.
