The Sacramento Kings are riding a rollercoaster, and right now, it’s speeding downhill. Despite the team’s franchise value skyrocketing to $3.7 billion—an 11% jump from last year’s $3.3 billion—they’ve had a rough go on the court. Last season ended with them failing to break out of the play-in tournament after finishing ninth in the Western Conference. This year? A decent start crumbled fast, losing 12 of their last 17 games and ultimately costing Mike Brown his job.

Brown had just completed finished up a news conference, when general manager Monte McNair called him. Brown was fired on the move after he left the facility following a practice session to prepare for a flight to Los Angeles. This brought an end to a two-and-a-half-season reign that promised so much at the start but ultimately delivered very little.

The Kings ended a 16-year playoff drought in Brown’s first season, winning 48 games and earning the third seed in the postseason. As a result, he became the first unanimous Coach of the Year in NBA history and the morale was high. After last season’s disappointment, where Brown still managed to win 46 games, this season has been a turbulent one with the Kings sitting with a 13-18 record and well outside the playoff picture in 15th. With his firing, the question is who’s next? For that, Kevin Garnett has an answer.

After the news of Brown’s firing hit the airwaves, Garnett jumped on Instagram with a bold suggestion for the Kings’ next hire. His pick? None other than three-time NBA champ and his former teammate, Sam Cassell. Garnett hyped it up, saying, “I think it’s time for Sam Cassell to enter the chat 😳🤔 just saying… best in the biz 🫡💯 @sam2ss211.” It’s safe to say KG is leading the “Cassell to Sacramento” campaign.

The Boston Celtics assistant coach has previously been a leading candidate for the head coaching job at Lakers. Former coach Reggie Theus even endorsed him to be the perfect fit. Now that the opportunity arises again, no wonder Garnett brings up Cassell, who once called him ‘best teammate’. The former Celtics guard also history with the Kings.

Cassell was already past his best when the Sacramento Kings, two days before the trade deadline in 2009. However, he was waived a day later, before even putting on a Kings jersey. Currently, Cassell is the lead assistant in Boston for  Joe Mazzulla. He was voted the best assistant in the NBA as part of the 2024-25 NBA GM survey. Over the years, Cassell has interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs, including with the Lakers last off-season, but has not been able to land the top role.

He has been an assistant coach since retiring in 2009 and last season helped the Celtics win the NBA title. Apart from his vast experience as an assistant coach, he has also worked as head coach with a few summer league squads. So he certainly brings some success and experience with him, if the Kings decide to go that route.

But it’s a challenge.

Brown’s exit came after Sacramento’s latest heartbreaker, a 114-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday. Their defensive woes have been badly exposed. The team is conceding the third-most threes (14.6), seventh-most three-point attempts (39 a game), and owns the fifth worst 3-point percentage (37.5%). Against the Nuggets, the team conceded 130 points and lost in the last second after DeMar DeRozan fumbled a pass with a path to a game-winning layup.

Brown’s final game also saw an agonizing 114-113 loss to the Pistons. They were 10 points in the lead with under three minutes left. However, defensive mistakes and an offensive slowdown saw their advantage trimmed to three with 10 seconds left. De’Aaron Fox left Jaden Ivey wide open and then desperately tried to make up and foul Ivey, but not before he hit a three and then converted the free throw to win the game.

Following the game, the former HC urged his players “to wake up.” Sadly, for Brown, it will be down to someone else to rouse the Kings from their slumber.

On top of their on-court problems, their off-court issues have also plagued the team. The decision from the front office to trade Tyrese Haliburton to the Pacers for Domantas Sabonis hasn’t exactly paid off. In the game against Indiana, they were punished by their former player, who dropped 27 points.

Before the defeat against the Lakers, De’Aaron Fox’s agent, Rich Paul, discusses his client’s uncertain future with the front office and the prospect of Fox asking for a trade is looking likely. Cassell or anyone for that matter, will have a lot on their hands if they take up the role left by Brown.

Brown had agreed to a contract extension in the summer that would have seen him lead the team through the 2026-27 season. The three-year, $30 million deal had a base salary of $8.5 million per season and it remains to be seen what will be the compensation that the Kings will have to hand out to him.

The former Cleveland Cavaliers HC helped lift the Kings from being the league’s laughingstock to serious playoff contenders. Having won four championships as an assistant coach, Brown brought key experience to the team and the results showed in the first season, which was largely an unexpected run from the Kings.

But the slump in form, especially this season contributed to his downfall, in many ways, he was a victim of his own success. During his final media session as Kings head coach, Brown had tried to rally some support in his favor, but it appears a decision was already made.

“When you go through adverse times, you know who was truly there for you. People will jump off the bandwagon quick. The support, wherever it may come from, it may not always be there. But that’s part of what I have to deal with, not just from myself but holding everyone together. I’m OK with anybody criticizing me.” Shortly after these words, he was dismissed.

Now, it’s up to the next hire—maybe Cassell?—to keep them from sliding back into irrelevance.

While Kevin Garnett props Cassell, who can lead the Kings?

The Sacramento Kings need answers, and they need them fast. After parting ways with Mike Brown just 31 games into the season, they’ve handed the reins to assistant coach Doug Christie on an interim basis. But this quick fix can only hold for so long. With the team in flux and the clock ticking, the Kings must choose a head coach who can steady the ship. It’s no easy task, especially mid-season. Apart from Cassell, who will bring his own winning experience, what are the options available for general manager Monte McNair?

Terry Stotts, with 13 years of head coaching experience, is another strong contender. While his playoff record (23-44) isn’t exactly dazzling, his experience with teams like the Blazers, Bucks, and Hawks makes him a steady option for the Kings’ situation.

Another choice might be sticking with Christie. He’s been with the Kings’ coaching staff since 2021 and has deep ties to the organization as a former player. With over four seasons in Sacramento as a player, Christie brings familiarity to a team that desperately needs stability. If the Kings decide to play it safe, promoting Christie full-time could be the simplest solution.

And then there’s Mike D’Antoni, the offensive wizard. With the Kings struggling at 24th in three-point shooting (34.2%), D’Antoni’s creative mind could transform their offense. Now time will tell which way Kings want to go.