Last month the Sydney Kings and Adam Forde parted ways, with the NBL franchise and coach mutually agreeing not to extend a one-year contract beyond this season.
Two weeks later, Jarron Collins, longtime assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors, announced he had reached a mutual release with the team and would pursue only head-coaching and associate-head-coach opportunities.
The Kings newest minority owner Andrew Bogut is being developed by the Kings front office as someone who can take over as chairman lead the club and also spent three seasons under Collins during his time with the Warriors.
Rumours are gaining momentum that Collins is one of Bogut’s top preferences as Forde’s replacement.
“One mistake we’ve probably made, in hindsight, is we need to start getting more longevity with our head coaches,” Bogut told ESPN.
“We don’t want one-and-done guys. But, on the flip-side, a one-and-done guy like [Will] Weaver is a beautiful story for us; a beautiful story for the Sydney Kings, that we develop… one of the best assistants in the [NBA] and will one day be a head coach. The Sydney Kings are on his résumé forever.”
“I think that’s why we’re looked upon by the international community as a destination club, because we’re not gonna d*ck you around. We’re not gonna hinder your aspirations of being a coach in the best league in the world.”
Andrew Bogut during his time with the Lakers chatting with former coach Jarron Collins and former teammate Andre Iguodala
Sydney officials recently revealed the club had received overseas interest for the franchise’s coaching position last week after ESPN also reported that one NBA source described the Kings opportunity as “the most-coveted coaching job outside the NBA”.
Collins, 42, joined the Warriors before the team’s 2014-15 NBA championship campaign as a player-development coach. The former NBA center was promoted to assistant coach in front of the Golden State bench during the 2015-16 season. Collins was the defensive coordinator for the Warriors the past two seasons and led the franchise to a fifth overall rating last season. The Warriors won three NBA titles during Collins’ tenure.
On his release Collins noted;
“There has been conversations,” Collins said. “But I’m going to be deliberate and strategic with my next step. I want to be a head coach. We’re going to look at all levels. We will look at what opportunities are out there. I want to be a first assistant coach or a head coach. I’m looking to take those next steps.” Collins said on his release.
“This is about myself and my own personal growth, I had a conversation with [head coach] Steve [Kerr] and the Warriors. I’ve been there seven years and coached Hall of Fame players. We’ve won championships. I learned so much. For me, this is about taking the next journey and next step in my career.
“Obviously, Steve Kerr is the head coach and Mike Brown is the lead assistant. It’s time for me to step out and see whatever opportunities are out there for me.”
Collins was highly respected and well-liked by the Warriors’ players. Warriors forward Draymond Green once described Collins’ defensive game plan as “[expletive] phenomenal” to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I’m going to really miss Jarron, both personally and professionally,” Kerr said to The Undefeated once news of Collins departure was made public.
“He’s an excellent coach and a wonderful human being. It’s going to be different without him around, but he deserves the chance to continue his growth with the goal of ultimately becoming a head coach in the NBA. Jarron has all the skills necessary. He’s a great teacher and communicator, he’s smart and funny, and he knows the game.” Kerr said.
Drafted in the second round of the 2001 draft, Collins played ten seasons in the NBA for the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers and Blazers.
The Kings are looking to make an announcement very shortly, and it’s believed Collins, legendary Kings player Matt Nielsen and Adam Caporn are the top candidates for the role.
Nielsen, who won two championships with the Kings in 2003 and 2004 as captain, is thought to be the organisation’s preferred choice for the role but whether that aligns with Nielsen’s goal of becoming Australia’s first NBA coach is unclear.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that (being an NBA coach) wasn’t something that maybe I’d chase down over time,” Nielsen told news.com.au.
“I hadn’t been a head coach since about four weeks ago. I knew I wanted to give it a go.”
Nielsen has just completed his first season as head coach job with the Austin Spurs – the G League affiliate of five-time NBA champions the San Antonio Spurs.
The former Boomers power forward guided Austin into the G League playoffs as a rookie coach and to get their man the Kings will have to convince him that he could use the Kings as a platform to return to America, much like Will Weaver, who went from the Kings to an NBA assistant role with the Houston Rockets.
Current Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence head coach Adam Caporn is also of interest to the team but it should be noted that while the Australian Boomers assistant coach has been consistently interviewed for potential NBL head coaching roles including recent openings in Adelaide and Brisbane no team has been successful so far in luring him away from Canberra.
It seems to be a three-horse race with Collins seemingly having the most open window. Whatever direction the Kings move it will need to be locked in within the next 30 days as NBL free-agent signing periods are less than two months away.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
