What The Sacramento Kings Must Do To Gain NBA Relevance

Feb 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Tyrone Corbin reacts to a foul call against the Chicago Bulls during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Past Coaches

2006-07: Eric Musselman: One Season, 33-49, .402 Winning Percentage

Musselman was a fairly young coach when he took over for the Kings — he had only started coaching four years prior. He had mild success with his team, starting the season 8-5, but after that the Kings slumped the rest of the way finishing the season with a 33-49 record.

Musselman’s .402 winning percentage still ranks fifth among all Kings coaches. In June of 2006, Musselman was arrested for a DUI although he claimed alcohol never played a big part of his life. He was fired shortly after the season ended. The Kings never made the playoffs in Musselman’s tenure.

2007-08: Reggie Theus: One Plus season, 44-62, .415 Winning Percentage

Theus formerly played for the Kings, and his hiring was meant to bring his career “full circle.” Theus had success in college, coaching the New Mexico State Aggies to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1999. While Theus’ .415 winning percentage is second all-time in Kings’ history, he was let go in December of the 2008 season. Theus’ Kings never made the playoffs.

2008-09: Kenny Natt: 58 games, 11-47, .190 Winning Percentage

Natt was brought in as an interim head coach after the firing of Reggie Theus. He failed miserably as his team was only able to muster 11 wins. His .190 winning percentage is the worst in King’s history for coaches that have coached more than 10 games. Natt was thought to be a part of the Kings’ future plans at his hiring. Obviously those plans never worked out as he was fired following the season a season in which the Kings posted the worst record in the NBA.

2009-12: Paul Westphal: Two Plus Seasons, 51-120, .298 Winning Percentage

Coach Westphal was brought in to attempt to bring some stability to Sacramento. While he did last two seasons, the results were not there. In Westphal’s first season he had a .305 winning percentage and the Kings missed the playoffs. In Westphal’s second season the team fared worse, with a .293 winning percentage, and the Kings failed to reach the playoffs again. Westphal actually made it into the 2012 season as coach. He only lasted seven games though, after the Kings started 2-5.

April 10, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Keith Smart calls out to his players against the New Orleans Hornets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Hornets 121-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2012-13: Keith Smart: One Plus season, 48-93, .340 Winning Percentage

Smart was brought in on an interim basis after the firing of Paul Westphal. He finished out the 2012 season with a 20-39 record and a .339 winning percentage. In 2013, Smart’s first full year with the team, he managed a 28-54 record with a .341 winning percentage. In both years, the Kings failed to reach the playoffs. Smart was fired following the end of the 2013 season.

2013-14: Mike Malone: One Plus Season, 39-67, .368 Winning Percentage

Mike Malone seemed like a promising coach for the Sacramento Kings. In 2012, he was named the Best Assistant Coach by NBA GM’s. Unfortunately, he was once again, another failed plan for the Kings. In his first year with Sacramento, coach Malone lead the team to a 28-54 record, and failed to make the playoffs.

What he did accomplish though, was making a connection with star Cousins. After Malone was fired 28 games into the 2014-15 season, Cousins showed his frustration to the media about the decision. Malone lead the team to a 11-13 record with a .458 winning percentage before being fired in December 2014. The Malone-led Kings never made the playoffs.

2014-2015: Tyrone Corbin: 28 games, 7-21, .250 winning percentage

Corbin was brought in as an interim coach after Malone’s firing. He underperformed as the Kings coach, leading them to only seven wins. He was relieved of his duties when George Karl was hired and now works in the King’s front office.

Next: George Karl: The Future