Jerry Reynolds Departs From The Sacramento Kings
Apr 11, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:26 am
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Sad news for Sacramento Kings fans, legendary broadcaster and former team executive Jerry Reynolds is stepping away from his position as color analyst for the team.
“I feel like this is the time for me to make a transition in my career. I just don’t feel like I have the interest or the capabilities to be a full-time employee, as much as I’ve enjoyed my time with the Kings,” Reynolds said on The Kings Insider Podcast on NBC Sports.
Reynolds has worked along side Grant Napear for the past two decades of Kings basketball. He is also an iconic figure in Sacramento sports.
“This is strictly my decision,” Reynolds said. “They’ve given me the opportunity to change my mind a couple of times, but I know it’s the right thing. Father Time wins every battle.”
The Kings offered him a long-term contract last summer, but he turned it down in lieu of a one-year deal, according to Reynolds.
He has decided to walk away of his position because of long-term health concerns.
“I am a 20-year diabetic and honestly, the last year was tough on me,” Reynolds said. “I’m not trying to work up a pity contest here, but it was a lot tougher for me to take care of my disease.”
During his career with the Kings, Reynolds has been an assistant coach, interim head coach, head coach, general manager, director of player personnel and color analyst.
“As a broadcast partner, I just have been so blessed,” Napear told NBC Sports California. “I can’t adequately put into words what it’s meant to be with him 82 games a year doing NBA basketball. It’s effortless. It’s fun. It’s not work in any capacity. He’s just a great person and I consider him a part of my family.”
The team has assigned former Kings shooting guard Doug Christie as his replacement.
The Kings planned a video tribute to Reynolds that will play during the season finale against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday evening at Golden 1 Center. It will be a celebration of a Sacramento legend.
