Smith interested in Kings GM job
NBA analyst Kenny Smith told USA Today that he has talked with the Sacramento Kings about their vacant general manager job.
Smith, who played for the Kings in the 1980s, has been an analyst for TNT Sports.
"We've been talking; we've been talking," Smith said. "That's all I'm going to say."
New Kings owner Vivek Ranadive already hired former Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone as head coach.
Candidates to replace Geoff Petrie as general manager include Smith, Memphis Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace, former Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird, former coach and executive Mike Dunleavy and Denver Nuggets vice president Pete D'Alessandro.
ESPN reported that D'Alessandro is the leading candidate.
Smith was drafted sixth overall by the Kings in 1987. He played for five teams in his 10-year NBA career, including winning consecutive championships with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and '95.
Smith said he has seriously considered wanting a coach or general manager job in recent years.
"Honestly, I've been looking at both -- coaching, and a lot of things have been coming these last couple of years, and this time I've been taking it serious," he said. "My kids are at an age where I feel comfortable. And the other years, the kids were just too young. I didn't want to be in it. But I just started taking it serious."
Smith averaged 12.8 points and 5.5 assists during his NBA career.
