The Sacramento Kings have named Alvin Gentry as Vice President, Basketball Engagement, according to a report from Shams Charania.
Alvin Gentry has joined the Sacramento Kings in a full-time front office role as Vice President, Basketball Engagement, sources tell me and @sam_amick. Gentry finished season as interim Kings coach and joined GM Monte McNair and front office at the NBA Draft Combine this week.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 16, 2022
And I know what you’re thinking, so let me assure you right now: Vice President, Basketball Engagement is totally a real job. It isn’t a meaningless word salad title thrown together at the last second. And it isn’t to be confused with the job of Chief Strategy Officer, which is another real job that does other, very specific things (although those things are apparently not critical since that position will remain unfilled). This is also a different job than being named “Special Advisor”.
James Ham even added some clarification on what Gentry will do in this role:
A little late, but confirmed that Alvin Gentry is sticking around with the Kings as VP, Basketball Engagement. He’ll advise on team building strategy and have an office in Sacramento, but spend plenty of time on the road during the season.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) May 16, 2022
See? It’s a real job! He’ll advise on strategy (but again, is not a Chief Strategy Officer whose job was to advise on basketball strategy, nor is it a Special Advisor whose job was to advise on basketball strategy). He’ll have an office and everything! Sure, he probably won’t be there very often, but don’t worry about that, it’s part of the job!
Congratulations to Alvin Gentry on your very real front office position!
Sarcastic or serious article?
Engagement Assistant
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please keep these coming Kosta!
Basketball engagement is actually a really popular trend right now by all measure of modern basketball analytics. I think the Kings are on to an untapped source of revenue here. Also, it’s their best chance at getting a ring in the next few years.
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are gold
Threads like these is why I love this site.
I draw the line here. Pornography Historian is very real — and I for one, am a fan. I mean c’mon look at that stash.
“I need to watch the tape”
-Luke
Just like pornstars are “classically trained adult film actresses”.
Great gig: paid well, 5-star hotels, per diems, zero responsibility
Do we know whether he gets breakfast?
Karl’d!
Thank you Greg. I rather enjoyed this.
You can do it.
You mean I can appreciate Greg being a smartass? What an astute observer you are!
So how long before we hear that Gentry wants more control and leaves?
Haven’t you heard? Once this Mcnair guy is let go at the end of his contract, Gentry would be the defacto GM! Now there’s unity in the FO with Vivek and Gentry running the show! Woohoo!
Did Ty Corbin finally clear out his office?
I need to obtain a position with this organization and work my way up and create and fill the position of Assitant to the General Manager.
Creed Bratton
President, Basketball Engagement.
I’m kind of surprised he wanted to still be associated with this franchise.
Career changes are hard, and
sometimes you just have to take the first opportunity that you get.
He can look for the next job with travel expenses paid by Kings .
The money is still green.
I think he would also get paid if he’d sit at home doing nothing.
I will be responding with my new go to response for all ridiculous Kings related happenings:
I am so goddamn tired of Vivek Ranadive.
Good night, and good luck.
But…it’s NBA 3.0!
How’s this for basketball engagement: BUILD A WINNING TEAM. Stop making stupid decisions. Play defense. OK, there’s my strategy. Where’s my $3 Million?
The fact that what you said makes sense is exactly why you don’t get your $3 million.
None of those are allowed to be discussed. They have a record breaking streak to protect,
Gentry should be paid to simply discuss how bad the Kings played in post game media events.
He is the only one in the organization that has spoken the truth in a very long time. Players need to hear that.
Welcome to basketball purgatory Alvin.
Person that has one year remaining on his deal(s) agrees to take 100% of his salary over 11 months and write a couple of memos as opposed to less to stay home. Inflation is so bad that Gentry still has to take Vivek’s calls
The Kings are bringing in 100 prospects to evaluate before the draft. That’s a lot of work. I’m sure Gentry will have a major hand in doing the evaluations. Also, as much as they’d need one, Gentry could be a kind of de facto interim coach until the Warrior’s season ends and Mike Brown can start full time duties here. What’s Gentry going to do in the winter? Glorified scout perhaps? Maybe he could be retained next year, though with a major salary cut. The Kings are already paying him. They might as well get some value out of his abilities and experience.
I’m sure Mike Brown is thrilled to have the last guy to succeed the head coach hanging around. Surely, the Kings won’t make any other boneheaded management moves soon, right?
Anjali what?
Does this mean he’s now a boss of the one who was his boss?
Badge Legend