Paul George quiets crowd, lets his play do the talking

The Sacramento Kings have parted ways with Mike Brown as head coach. Brown was in his third season with the Kings and was Coach of the Year in his first season back in 22-23. The Kings signed Brown to a multi-year extension during the 2024 offseason.

The Kings are struggling this season with a 13-18 record and the team is on a five-game losing streak after losing a 14-point fourth quarter lead on Thursday. De’Aaron Fox’s future with the Kings has also come under question amid the team’s struggles. Brown ran the Kings’ practice on Friday and spoke to the media. The firing came a few minutes before the Kings’ plane departed for Los Angeles.

The Kings returned to the playoffs in Brown’s first season with a 48-34 record. Sacramento lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs in seven games that season.

Last season, the Kings were in the play-in and beat the Warriors in their first game before losing to the New Orleans Pelicans for the final playoff berth.

Brown was hired by the Kings after a lengthy stint as an assistant coach under Steve Kerr with the Warriors. Brown was previously head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers two separate times as well as just over one season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Free agent wing Paul George will begin free agency on Sunday afternoon/evening by meeting with three different teams. George will meet with his current team, the LA Clippers, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.

The Clippers have full Bird rights for George and can sign him to a four-year, $221.1 million contract. George could also work out an extension with the Clippers prior to the current league year ending at midnight on July 1. In a new deal with LA, George could get a no-trade clause, but he would not be eligible for one by extending with the Clippers.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic would both be suitors for George using their cap space. Both teams are in position to offer George a four-year maximum deal worth $212.2 million.