Sacramento Kings Hire Alvin Gentry To Coaching Staff
Oct 6, 2020, 4:44 PM | Updated: Oct 8, 2020, 8:54 pm
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The 65 year-old was most recently the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans from 2015-2020
As a big season approaches for Luke Walton as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, the franchise is bolstering its coaching staff in preparation of a big 2020-21 season.
Per Marc Stein of ESPN, the Kings have reached an agreement with longtime head coach and assistant coach Alvin Gentry to become an associate head coach on Walton’s staff for next season.
According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, Gentry’s contract will be for three-seasons–aligning with Walton’s remaining contract.
Gentry, 65, was recently fired as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans after compiling a 175-225 record over five seasons.
The long-time coach won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015 while serving as an assistant coach on Steve Kerr’s coaching staff before accepting the head coaching job in New Orleans.
Over 17 seasons as an NBA head coach, Gentry holds a 510-595 record (.462) over stints with New Orleans, Phoenix, Los Angeles (Clippers), Detroit and Miami.
With the hiring of Gentry, Sacramento has a clear-cut head coaching candidate on their bench to replace Walton if the team underperforms in 2021. With the newly-hired general manager Monte McNair just getting his feet wet with the organization, it’s natural for some to contemplate if Walton will be the longterm head coach with the organization.
Gentry was rumored to be eyeing the Philadelphia 76ers assistant coaching job under newly-hired head coach Doc Rivers, but has reportedly opted to join the Kings instead.
Sacramento made the hiring official on Wednesday by releasing the following statement:
This story will be updated with more information as it is provided.
