The decision by the Sacramento Kings to fire Mike Brown as head coach came from Monte McNair and not Vivek Ranadive, sources tell The Athletic. The decision was initially widely received around the NBA as a continuation of Ranadive's tumultuous ownership of the Kings as they have now had eight coaches in 12 years.
"This was a difficult decision and I want to thank Mike for his many contributions to the organization," McNair said in a late Friday news release.
Brown and the Kings had a strained negotiation on a contract extension last offseason. The Kings missed the playoffs after they were the No. 3 seed in 2023. Ranadive reportedly obsessed over the Kings falling from first in the NBA in offensive efficiency to 13th. Brown, however, was focused on improved their defense as it climbed from 24th to 14th.