NBA: Alvin Gentry won’t return as Kings’ coach

Head coach Alvin Gentry of the Sacramento Kings looks on against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center on December 31, 2021 in Sacramento, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP

Sacramento Kings interim head coach Alvin Gentry will not get the full-time job, the team announced Monday.

The Kings were 24-41 under Gentry, who replaced Luke Walton in November. Sacramento fired Walton early in his third season after a 6-11 start. The Kings finished 30-52.

Sacramento general manager Monte McNair said in a statement, “The entire Kings organization is grateful for the leadership of Alvin Gentry, who stepped up when he got the call midseason. We appreciate his leadership on and off the court.”

Gentry was told of the decision on Monday in a meeting with team executives. ESPN reported that Gentry and the team were discussing a front office role to satisfy the remaining one year on his contract.

The Kings failed to qualify for the postseason for the 16th straight season. They haven’t finished at or above .500 since 2006 — the year Rick Adelman was fired after eight straight playoff appearances — and have had 12 coaches since then.

Reports indicated the Kings have an early list of candidates that includes former NBA head coaches Mark Jackson, Mike Brown, Kenny Atkinson and Steve Clifford.

Gentry, 67, previously was the head coach of the Miami Heat (interim), Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans. He has a career record of 534-636.

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