Sacramento Kings should hire Pat Riley disciple Adam Simon

The Sacramento Kings have finally begun the search for a new head of basketball operations, and there is one candidate in particular that they should heavily pursue.

After a disappointing five-year run as the Head of Basketball Operations for the Sacramento Kings, Vlade Divac’s departure has created a hole in the team’s front office. The candidate that replaces him will certainly have his hands full, given the payroll situation and the lack of young talent and assets.

While the team was mum on their hiring process for three weeks, the process has apparently begun according to The Athletic. As reported by Shams Charania and Sam Amick (paywall), the Kings have requested interviews with six potential candidates:

Sachin Gupta – Timberwolves executive vice president
Adam Simon – Heat assistant general manager
Calvin Booth – Nuggets general manager
Trajan Langdon – Pelicans general manager
Monte McNair – Rockets assistant general manager
Wes Wilcox – former Hawks general manager

While each of these potential interviewees holds their own pedigree and intrigue, Adam Simon could be the top candidate.

Simon has been with the Miami Heat for the past 25 years. He currently holds the position of assistant general manager, but his rise through the ranks of the organization has been nothing short of impressive. Starting out as an intern in the video department in 1995, Simon worked alongside a video coordinator named Erik Spoelstra. Like the current Heat head coach, Simon quickly climbed the ladder. He has been promoted a total of 10 times, including stops as a scouting director and director of player personnel.

Adam Simon is the man for the Sacramento Kings job

Simon just completed his first season as the Vice President of Basketball Operations. He is one of the most sought after candidates for front office positions around the league, but he would be perfect for the Kings for one major reason.

As Jillian Adge pointed out in her brilliant podcast that aired last month highlighting potential hirings, Simon is also responsible for the Heat’s final draft board. Given that Miami has one of the most talented young squads in the league, it is apparent that he knows the ins and outs of player evaluation.

This would be a highly coveted trait for a team like Sacramento, who must rely on pinpoint draft accuracy instead of attracting free agents to a small market. Any type of success would be an improvement considering the Kings’ draft woes over the last decade.

All of that said, there is a minute chance of a Simon ever joining the Kings organization. The report from the Athletic is nothing more than a list of names that the team hopes to have interviews with, and they might not even be granted the opportunity. Simon was already rumored for a front office position with the Chicago Bulls back in April but turned down the job to return to Miami. If he isn’t willing to take a job in Chicago, would he even be willing to talk to a team from Sacramento?

The other names on the list are of interest as well and could possess traits that suit the Sacramento Kings well. But given his history and success, Adam Simon should be the clear No. 1 candidate.