http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/236074.html
After being passed over for the Kings' head-coaching vacancy, Scott Brooks might still be in a head-coaching race.
The former Kings assistant and finalist in Sacramento's coaching search interviewed with SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti on June 15 for Seattle's head-coaching position, according to two sources. Seattle asked for and was granted permission from the Kings to speak with Brooks. Brooks' Sacramento contract runs through June 2009.
According to the sources, Brooks remains in the running, though San Antonio assistant P.J. Carlesimo and Dwane Casey -- formerly Minnesota's head coach and a Seattle assistant -- are reportedly the finalists. The sources did not want to speak on record because of the nature of the ongoing hiring process.
After Brooks had a second interview with the Kings on June 11, he appeared in position to land the job before team brass quickly changed direction toward Lakers assistant Brian Shaw and eventual selection Reggie Theus.
Moving fast -- When Theus said during his Wednesday news conference that he only had time to grab underwear before heading to Sacramento, he was only half-kidding.
The late decision to hire him over Shaw resulted in the former New Mexico State coach being caught off-guard. And after his official introduction, he was gone almost as soon as he had arrived. Theus flew to Los Angeles on Wednesday night for a family engagement, and will make his way back to Las Cruces, N.M., for his belongings and more goodbyes.
Although Theus will not return to Sacramento until next week, he said he has started to look for a coaching staff. His lead assistant, Theus has said, likely will be a veteran with head-coaching experience.
"I've put some feelers out," he said. "I think the first person I'm really looking for is the guy that's going to sit right next to me on the bench. There's several guys out there like that."
Theus said he would rejoin Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie on Tuesday. With the draft less than a week away, Theus hopes to offer an opinion on the players he either watched or coached against while at New Mexico State.
"We're going to be able to see where I can chime in, see where I can help, where the process is and what everybody's thinking," he said.
Draft update -- With the June 28 draft nearing, Petrie is scheduled to finally see Florida forward Joakim Noah today in Atlanta.
Noah backed out of a June workout with the Kings in Sacramento when he had a slight rotator cuff tear. He is expected to be selected in the No. 6 to No. 12 range.
The Kings appear to be high on Chinese big man Yi Jianlian and Washington center Spencer Hawes -- both have been seen in workouts -- but still hope to see Ohio State point guard Mike Conley Jr., Georgetown small forward Jeff Green and North Carolina power forward Brandan Wright. On June 5, Petrie held a workout in Orlando, Fla., with Florida State small forward Al Thornton and Florida shooting guard Corey Brewer. Petrie also has seen Texas A&M point guard Acie Law.
The mystery man in the bunch who has also been worked out in Sacramento is Ukrainian center Kyrylo Fesenko, who is said to be more athletic than your typical 7-foot-1, 270-pounder but has raw skills. The 20-year-old played last season for the Cherkassy Monkeys in the First Division Ukrainian league.
Reaching out -- The Tuesday night phone calls to Ron Artest and Mike Bibby were only the beginning.
After checking in with the Kings' top veterans, Theus briefly met with the team's younger core of shooting guard Kevin Martin and swingman Francisco García. Martin said it was a positive first introduction.
"I'm going to reach out to a couple of other guys over the weekend, just reach out and say hey and let them know what my thoughts are," Theus said.
After being passed over for the Kings' head-coaching vacancy, Scott Brooks might still be in a head-coaching race.
The former Kings assistant and finalist in Sacramento's coaching search interviewed with SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti on June 15 for Seattle's head-coaching position, according to two sources. Seattle asked for and was granted permission from the Kings to speak with Brooks. Brooks' Sacramento contract runs through June 2009.
According to the sources, Brooks remains in the running, though San Antonio assistant P.J. Carlesimo and Dwane Casey -- formerly Minnesota's head coach and a Seattle assistant -- are reportedly the finalists. The sources did not want to speak on record because of the nature of the ongoing hiring process.
After Brooks had a second interview with the Kings on June 11, he appeared in position to land the job before team brass quickly changed direction toward Lakers assistant Brian Shaw and eventual selection Reggie Theus.
Moving fast -- When Theus said during his Wednesday news conference that he only had time to grab underwear before heading to Sacramento, he was only half-kidding.
The late decision to hire him over Shaw resulted in the former New Mexico State coach being caught off-guard. And after his official introduction, he was gone almost as soon as he had arrived. Theus flew to Los Angeles on Wednesday night for a family engagement, and will make his way back to Las Cruces, N.M., for his belongings and more goodbyes.
Although Theus will not return to Sacramento until next week, he said he has started to look for a coaching staff. His lead assistant, Theus has said, likely will be a veteran with head-coaching experience.
"I've put some feelers out," he said. "I think the first person I'm really looking for is the guy that's going to sit right next to me on the bench. There's several guys out there like that."
Theus said he would rejoin Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie on Tuesday. With the draft less than a week away, Theus hopes to offer an opinion on the players he either watched or coached against while at New Mexico State.
"We're going to be able to see where I can chime in, see where I can help, where the process is and what everybody's thinking," he said.
Draft update -- With the June 28 draft nearing, Petrie is scheduled to finally see Florida forward Joakim Noah today in Atlanta.
Noah backed out of a June workout with the Kings in Sacramento when he had a slight rotator cuff tear. He is expected to be selected in the No. 6 to No. 12 range.
The Kings appear to be high on Chinese big man Yi Jianlian and Washington center Spencer Hawes -- both have been seen in workouts -- but still hope to see Ohio State point guard Mike Conley Jr., Georgetown small forward Jeff Green and North Carolina power forward Brandan Wright. On June 5, Petrie held a workout in Orlando, Fla., with Florida State small forward Al Thornton and Florida shooting guard Corey Brewer. Petrie also has seen Texas A&M point guard Acie Law.
The mystery man in the bunch who has also been worked out in Sacramento is Ukrainian center Kyrylo Fesenko, who is said to be more athletic than your typical 7-foot-1, 270-pounder but has raw skills. The 20-year-old played last season for the Cherkassy Monkeys in the First Division Ukrainian league.
Reaching out -- The Tuesday night phone calls to Ron Artest and Mike Bibby were only the beginning.
After checking in with the Kings' top veterans, Theus briefly met with the team's younger core of shooting guard Kevin Martin and swingman Francisco García. Martin said it was a positive first introduction.
"I'm going to reach out to a couple of other guys over the weekend, just reach out and say hey and let them know what my thoughts are," Theus said.
