Could Kings dip into WNBA pool for their next coach?

	With a WNBA title under his belt in Sacramento, John Whisenant may take over the team he helped the Maloofs purchase. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBA via Getty Images

As owners of the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and the Sacramento Kings, Joe and Gavin Maloof know a little bit about rolling the dice. So maybe it's no surprise that the fun-loving bachelors are considering John Whisenant as the next coach of the Kings.

Yes, John Whisenant.

If that name doesn't ring a bell, you're not alone. Unless you're a die-hard fan of woman's pro hoops, you wouldn't have any reason to know him.

Whisenant, a.k.a. "Whiz," is the coach of the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs. In three seasons the 60-year-old former IBL coach and assistant at New Mexico has compiled a 58-30 regular-season record. Last year he guided the Monarchs to the championship.

Right now he's among three candidates who have interviewed for the vacant Kings position, joining Grizzlies assistant Eric Musselman and Warriors assistant Mario Elie. Suns assistant Marc Iavaroni could be added to the list once his team is finished playing in the postseason.

Only one previous WNBA coach has ever made the jump to the NBA, Michael Cooper, who served as the Nuggets' interim leader in 2004-05 before George Karl's arrival. For Whisenant even to be considered represents a significant step forward for the women's game and a refreshing change from the usual NBA front-office thinking.

"Definitely outside [the box]," notes Pacers CEO and president Donnie Walsh.

When the Kings let Rick Adelman go after the season, many expected the Maloofs to pursue a marquee name to replace him. Most of the speculation early on centered on Don Nelson and Larry Brown. They could create a buzz around the Kings, something the Vegas-loving Maloofs would enjoy.

Apparently the Maloofs aren't as brand-conscious as many of us thought. None of the names being mentioned so far are likely to get the phone lines lighting up at the Arco Arena ticket office.