Report: Kings likely would've hired Ewing if Joerger wasn't available

The Sacramento Kings likely would have hired Patrick Ewing as their head coach last spring if Dave Joerger didn't become available at the last minute, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Ewing, an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets since 2013, interviewed for the open Kings job last May. However, the Memphis Grizzlies fired Joerger on May 7, and he was quickly named head coach of the Kings two days later. Ewing then interviewed for the Grizzlies' vacancy, which ultimately went to David Fizdale.

The Hall of Fame center is frequently mentioned as a prime head coaching candidate, having logged over a decade as an NBA assistant since retiring as a player. And with his alma mater Georgetown's firing of John Thompson III on Thursday, Ewing's name can be expected to be linked with that opening as well.