Chapter 253: Boiling Point (5)
When Chen Yilun returned to Sacramento with the two newly recruited assistant coaches, he was welcomed by a smiling Malone.
“Welcome back, Yilun.”
Malone stepped forward in one quick motion and pulled him into a hug.
“I knew you’d make the right moves, kid.”
Then he turned and nodded to the two newcomers.
“Darvin.”
Malone reached his hand out to Ham first. “Long time no see.”
Ham grinned and shook his hand. “Didn’t expect the two of us to end up working together again.”
Ham and Malone had entered the profession around the same time, both spending years grinding as assistant coaches. The only real difference was that Malone’s coaching philosophy made him more suited to being a head coach, while Ham excelled as a second-in-command.
As an assistant, Ham was elite at organizing team tactics, stabilizing the locker room, and acting as the bridge between players and the coaching staff. But his in-game adaptability was comparatively lacking.
That’s why he was a hot commodity as an assistant with the Hawks and Bucks, yet drew constant criticism the moment he became the Lakers’ head coach.
He was built to be a top-tier support piece—you can’t expect him to suddenly become the primary problem-solver.
And that was exactly why Chen Yilun was willing to pay a price to bring him in.
“Heard our boss really shelled out to poach you,”
Malone teased.
“Honored he thinks so highly of me,”
Ham replied with a smile.
Before Ham even arrived, the deal between Chen Yilun and Budenholzer had already been completed.
Chen Yilun sent Dorian Finney-Smith to the Hawks and received a trade exception plus some cash in return.
The deal was pretty much a free gift for Budenholzer—though he still returned a small amount of money to Chen Yilun.
After chatting briefly, Malone shifted his attention to the young man who still looked a little uneasy.
“Mark, right? Welcome to Sacramento.”
Even though Malone had no real impression of Mark Daigneault, his trust in Chen Yilun was enough for him to place high expectations on this newcomer who’d only been in the business for three years.
“Thank you.”
Daigneault quickly stepped forward to shake Malone’s hand. “I’ll work hard here in Sacramento.”
“Good, good.”
Malone looked at the still slightly green Daigneault with obvious warmth.
Unlike many coaches who transitioned from playing careers, Daigneault was a fully trained academic—he majored in the field in college and entered coaching right after graduating.
So even though he had already spent three years as a G League head coach, he was still younger than many NBA players.
“The team has already arranged temporary apartments for you two. Go get some rest first—we’ll talk work tomorrow.”
After some brief introductions, Malone motioned for Peja to take the two assistants to their apartments, while he himself got into Chen Yilun’s car.
“They’re here?”
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Chen Yilun asked while checking messages on his phone.
“They arrived last night. Been waiting at the hotel for you.”
Malone buckled his seatbelt.
“You really pulled it off. Darvin Ham is one thing—but you managed to bring him over too?”
“Gotta have credibility to attract good people.”
Chen Yilun laughed as he started the engine. “Everyone knows we’re at our peak right now. Coming here means a chance at a ring and a boost to their resumes. I’m guessing he’s just trying to polish up his credentials so he can make a strong return later.”
As the two chatted, they arrived at a luxury hotel in downtown Sacramento.
A bald, bearded middle-aged Black man stepped out with a smile.
“Finally! I’ve been waiting for you like waiting for the stars to align.”
“Sorry about that, I’ve been insanely busy. Came straight here after landing.”
Chen Yilun hurried forward, extending his hand. “Welcome to Sacramento, Monty.”
Anyone who received such treatment from Chen Yilun was clearly no ordinary figure.
Monty Williams. Former head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.
He took over in New Orleans in 2010, coached five seasons, and made the playoffs twice. He served as an assistant with the Thunder in 2015–16, and last season was the Spurs’ Vice President of Basketball Operations.
In the original timeline, Williams would have stayed with the Spurs until 2018 before becoming head coach of the Suns. But once he learned that the Kings’ lead assistant Brown had left and the team was searching for a replacement, he immediately came to Sacramento to apply.
As a former head coach with playoff experience, Monty had the pedigree to be molded by Popovich and Buford into a future pillar of the Spurs system—if not for the unfortunate timing of the Spurs dynasty collapsing that very year.
For a coach of Williams’ caliber, both Chen Yilun and Malone would gladly accept him without hesitation.
After briefly discussing salary and contract terms, Monty Williams officially joined the Kings’ coaching staff.
And with Chen Yilun’s flurry of moves, the Kings’ coaching lineup now looked like this:
Head Coach: Mike Malone
Lead Assistant Coach: Monty Williams
Assistant Coach: Darvin Ham – tactical structuring
Assistant Coach: Chris Finch – defensive training
Assistant Coach: Mark Daigneault – rookie development & G League coordination
Assistant Coach: Chip Engelland – shooting coach
Looking at it now, the Kings’ coaching staff was overflowing with talent. Aside from the veteran specialist Chip Engelland, the rest were future head coaches destined to make their mark.
“Now this is what it means to have an army of elite generals!”
On the drive back, Chen Yilun couldn’t help showing off to Malone.
“It’s definitely a luxury,”
Malone nodded in agreement.
Just as Chen Yilun was about to discuss next season’s staffing plans, Peja’s call came in unexpectedly.
“Boss, you’re back just in time. The bidding war between the Spurs and Knicks is almost done. The Spurs have offered three years, $67 million.”
“Sixty-seven?”
Chen Yilun froze.
Three years and $67 million—that’s over twenty-two million per year.
“What’s CJ thinking?”
“What else would he think?”
Peja paused before continuing.
“He’s leaning toward the Spurs. When we talked earlier, he said he wants to join a team with a winning culture.”
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