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ESPN analysts/commentators Mark Jackson is the favorite to become the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's Mark Jackson appears to be favorite for Kings HC job

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/3/22

In April, it was reported that LeBron James was "very enthused " by the idea of former All-Star point guard-turned-head coach-turned-color commentator Mark Jackson becoming the next leader of the Los Angeles Lakers. According to reports on Tuesday, that idea may not be coming to fruition for James and the Lakers, as it appears that Jackson is the favorite to become the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Kings officials maintain their three finalists hold level chances at Sacramento’s head coaching job, but Mark Jackson appears to be the front-runner and Kings owner Vivek Ranadive’s favorite candidate. More on SAC, CHA, LAL, Utah and Philly at @BR_NBA: https://t.co/MrpC7mVN6C
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) May 3, 2022

"The Sacramento Kings are meeting with former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson, current Warriors assistant Mike Brown and former Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford for in-person interviews this week in the final stage of the franchise's head coaching search," Fischer wrote. "The Kings concluded their second-round discussions with Clifford in Sacramento on Monday. Next in line will be Jackson and then Brown, who is amid Golden State's second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies."

Fischer continued that Jackson has "long been a darling" of Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, as Ranadive was vice chairman of the Warriors during Jackson's run as the Dubs head coach. Fischer writes "In 2020, Ranadive urged the Sacramento front office to consider Jackson for the associate head coach position that went to Gentry, sources said".

However, the choice of who becomes Sacramento's next head coach may not be Ranadive's to make.

"For months, Ranadive has told colleagues across the NBA that general manager Monte McNair has full autonomy atop Sacramento's basketball operations. Kings personnel insist that to be the case. The move to terminate Luke Walton midseason, for example, came from McNair, not ownership," Fischer wrote. "Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation believe Brown is the favorite among McNair's front office. Wes Wilcox, a Sacramento assistant general manager, began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, overlapping Brown's first tenure as Cleveland head coach from 2005 to 2010."

Whoever takes over as the Kings next head coach will be looking to guide the franchise back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The team's current 16-year postseason drought is the longest in the NBA.

The 57-year-old Jackson compiled a 121-109 coaching record during his three years with the Warriors from 2011-2014, as well as a 9-10 postseason mark over two playoff appearances. Jackson has been involved in the league for 35 years since being selected 18th overall by the New York Knicks in the 1987 NBA Draft.

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