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Report: Former Pelicans’ coach Alvin Gentry to be Kings’ assistant

Alvin Gentry Kings

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coaches Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans and Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers greet before a game at the Smoothie King Center on November 29, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

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Alvin Gentry was shown the door in New Orleans, but he was still in demand as an assistant coach. Doc Rivers wanted him on the staff in Philadelphia. Other teams were calling as well.

Instead, he is headed to Sacramento and Luke Walton’s staff, reports Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Alvin Gentry is a great pickup for the Kings. One obvious advantage: Gentry’s teams play fast (New Orleans was fourth in the league in pace). The Kings played slower last season under Walton than the year before — when Dave Joerger had the team racing and De’Aaron Fox driving the car — and new Sacramento general Monte McNair wants to get back to running.

Gentry has experience on the bench, having coached 1,105 games as an NBA head coach, with stops in Miami, Detroit, Los Angeles (Clippers), Phoenix, and New Orleans.

Expect more changes for the Kings as McNair works to put his stamp on this roster.