The Sacramento Kings have hired former Phoenix Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov to work as an assistant under Luke Walton.

Kokoskov was fired after Phoenix experienced its second-worst record in franchise history 19-63 in his first season as head coach.

The Republic, through NBA sources, have confirmed the hiring ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported.

Suns general manager James Jones fired Kokoskov two weeks after the regular season finale and later hired Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams.  


Phoenix Suns coach Igor Kokoskov talks about his first NBA season as a head coach after going 19-63. Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic

Kokoskov will join Walton’s staff. The Kings quickly hired Walton after the Los Angeles Lakers fired him following a third straight losing season.

The Lakers went 98-148 in Walton’s three seasons.

Later that month in April, Los Angeles reporter Kelli Tennant charged Walton with sexual battery, gender violence, violation of the Ralph Act, which protects against threats of violence, sexual assault, battery and assault.

The alleged incident occurred in 2014. Walton’s trial date in Los Angeles is set for October 19, 2020.

Kokoskov had been an NBA assistant for 18 seasons with five being in Phoenix before then Suns general manager Ryan McDonough hired him away from Utah where he coached under Quin Snyder.

Kokoskov was an assistant in Phoenix the last time the Suns made the playoffs in 2010.

Praised for his offensive ingenuity, Kokoskov was the first European-born NBA head coach, but te Suns started 2-11 and later lost a franchise-record 17 games in a row.

Injuries and having a young team played a role in Phoenix’s fifth straight losing season, but Kokoskov was let go.

Kokoskov reportedly interviewed for the Memphis head coaching vacancy last month. The Grizzlies ended up hiring Milwaukee Bucks assistant Taylor Jenkins to replace J.B. Bickerstaff.   


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