SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown stands on side of court during their game against the Golden State Warriors during the Play-In Tournament at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

NBA Rumors: Mike Brown, Kings 'Have Tabled' Contract Extension Talks

Paul KasabianMay 24, 2024

Contract extension talks between the Sacramento Kings and head coach Mike Brown have been tabled, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

That news comes two days after Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that contract extension talks "are expected to center around a similar eight-figure threshold" between Brown and the Kings.

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Fischer cited Brown's 2022-23 Coach of the Year win and some market-setting contracts, notably those of the Detroit Pistons' Monty Williams (six years, $78.5 million) and the Phoenix Suns' Mike Budenholzer (five years, $50 million).

Before Brown's arrival in 2022, the Kings had missed the playoffs for 16 straight seasons. In addition, the 2021-22 team went just 30-52.

Under Brown, the 2022-23 Kings went 48-34, good enough for the third seed in the Western Conference and an 18-win improvement. Sacramento pushed the then-defending champion Golden State Warriors to seven games in the first round of the playoffs before falling short to the Dubs.

This past season saw the Kings in a race to make the playoffs. Sacramento did earn a play-in tournament berth after going 46-36 and beat the Warriors in the opening matchup. However, the Kings fell to the New Orleans Pelicans in their win-or-go-home game, ending the season.

Regardless of the result, the Kings have enjoyed their greatest success in two decades, and Brown is clearly a big reason for that. He's certainly deserving of more pay and longer-term security. Right now, though, it's clear Brown and the Kings are at a bit of an impasse.