NBA Rumors: Mike Brown, Kings' 2023-24 Struggles Didn't 'Sit Well' with Ownership

The Sacramento Kings failed to advanced past the Play-In Tournament this season after reaching the playoffs in the 2022-23 campaign, and it's possible that could impact the future of head coach Mike Brown, with the 2024-25 season the final one on his current contract.

According to James Ham of The Kings Beat, "The failure to repeat the success of the previous year hasn't sat well with ownership, according to sources."

Moving on from Brown would undoubtedly be harsh. He helped end a 16-year playoff drought and has gone 94-70 in his two years as Sacramento's head coach.

He also is under contract for one more season before a mutual option in the 2025-26 campaign. So the Kings, essentially, have three options:

• Fire Brown this offseason and move the organization in a new direction after this past season's step back.
• Give Brown one more year to turn things around before either signing him to an extension or picking up his mutual option.
• Sign him to an extension this offseason.

Anthony Slater and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported in late April that Brown "desires a longer-term commitment at his market rate, per league sources, and brings a substantial body of work to the table. The Kings have grown in legitimacy since his arrival, both as a basketball and business entity. But a nuanced negotiation awaits."

Given the going market rate, such an extension would likely hit double-digit millions per year. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports added on May 15 that "Brown's talks are expected to center around a similar eight-figure threshold" to the $10 million average annual salary the Phoenix Suns gave Mike Budenholzer this offseason.

But are the Kings willing to make that sort of financial commitment after this past season?

Slater and Amick reported that "team sources say Brown will definitely return for next season," so the question likely becomes whether controlling governor Vivek Ranadivé signs Brown to an extension or lets him play out the next year on his contract before making a decision.

The latter choice threatens to become a distraction, with Brown essentially heading into a lame duck year. It would be a major storyline, no doubt. But if Ranadivé has doubts about Brown's ability to turn the proverbial ship around, it might also be the more prudent move given how pricey an extension would have to be.