Sacramento Kings: Divac re-signs, dismissed Joerger and Williams

Kings general manager Vlade Divac was granted a contract extension Thursday morning and immediately executed a series of strikes. Introductory Coach Dave Joerger and Assistant General Manager Brandon Williams were held several hours after the end of their best season in more than ten years.

Rumors of a new four-year deal for Divac were quickly followed by upheavals early Thursday, hinting that Divac would fire Joerger and Williams, who were arguing in an embarrassing fight early in the season. A league official, who requested anonymity before the moves were formalized, told The Sacramento Bee that Divac would have the power to determine the fate of the two men. Divac alone assumed the responsibility after having dismissed them a few hours later.

"It was my decision," he said.

Divac explained at a press conference in the afternoon that he had taken steps to bring the team to the "next level," claiming that the Kings had had a good season that could have been better. The team garnered fans' enthusiasm and drew awareness around the NBA with a talented and young lineup and a new rhythmic style.

The Kings were 30-27 at the break from the stars, but they finished 39-43 after losing 16 of their last 25. They finished ninth in the Western Conference, the last team eliminated from the playoff race. The Kings have recorded their most wins since their last playoff appearance in 2005-06, but have not reached the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season, the longest NBA drought in the post-season.

Divac said that he had begun to consider a coaching change after the stars break. Divac said he was confident he could find a quality coach to replace Joerger.

"I think we are in an excellent position here," he said. "The season just ended yesterday, and we are very confident of being a good destination now."

The Kings will immediately begin looking for a new coach to lead a promising young team that defies expectations and embarks on a playoff race. Potential candidates include Luke Walton, Los Angeles Lakers coach, if available, Monty Williams, assistant to the Philadelphia 76ers, and Ettore Messina, assistant to San Antonio Spurs. Divac said he wanted a coach who could cultivate the team's running system, saying, "It's the Kings' style" and "we have to play that way".

"After evaluating the season, I determined that we had to go in a different direction to get us to the next level," said Divac. "On behalf of the entire Kings organization, I would like to thank Dave for his contributions to our team and wish him every success."

Warren LeGarie, the agent who represents Joerger, told The Bee that his client was surprised and disappointed to learn that he had been fired. Joerger was 98-148 in three seasons with the Kings, but was named as the coach of the year at the start of the season for his role in the team's dramatic recovery.

"Obviously, it's a big disappointment," said LeGarie. "Dave thought that, given the youth of the team and other challenges, he had done a good job, certainly recognized by other players in the league and, above all, exceeded expectations.

"I would be surprised if we are in the minority to be surprised. It was something that had caught him off guard. Obviously, Dave must try to digest that and understand what pushed them to do it. At this point, they certainly have the right. Nobody disputes it. We just felt that it was something that they probably should have considered a little longer.

Joerger and his team managed to implement the accelerated style and produce positive results in terms of player development, but the turmoil was agitated early in the season when Joerger and Williams clashed over the treatment of the award-winning rookie Marvin Bagley III and other young players.

Relations between Joerger and Williams became a focus in November and December after the launch of a Yahoo! A sports report suggests that the coach's job may be compromised due to the allocation of minutes to Bagley, rookie Harry Giles III and others. It was generally thought that Williams was a primary source for Yahoo! Sport history.

Two weeks later, Joerger asked Williams to leave the shoot a few hours before a televised match on television. A later report in The Athletic revealed that Joerger thought Williams was trying to replace him.

"I said in December, they had to do their job and they did it," said Divac. "So that I can move away from them, I hope to improve the team not only on the basketball court, but also in basketball operations. I felt that we had to do these things to get going. I did not like what happened in December. "

Divac said Williams will not be replaced.

In January, the organization offered Joerger's assistant coaches a one-year extension to align their contracts with his, but The Bee learned that some assistants did not accept these offers. Divac announced that a decision regarding the future of assistants such as Elston Turner, Bryan Gates and Jason March would be taken in the coming days.

The Kings also sacked Chris Clark, the team's media relations director. Clark, a native of Sacramento and a graduate of the Jesuit High School, has held a variety of positions within the organization since 2000: responding to press inquiries and organizing media interventions, among other functions. Clark said that he had "separated from the team" amicably "and that he" was looking forward to new projects. "

These changes occurred soon after the conclusion of a new agreement with Divac. The team returned to a relationship that began when the international basketball legend put on the team's uniform 20 years ago.

"Vlade has been vital to what we are building here and I am very excited to announce its expansion," said Kings owner Vivek Ranadive in a written statement. "Throughout his career, Vlade has always improved the conditions of his entourage, both on and off the field. I look forward to seeing our future bright as we work to make Sacramento proud. "

Divac has radically reorganized his membership since he sold the All Star Dear Crews to New Orleans Pelicans Center in 2017. He recruited De'Aaron Fox, Bagley and Giles when purchasing acquisitions by Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

This past weekend, Divac was named to the Naismith Commemorative Basketball Hall of Fame 2019 Promotion. He will be inducted later this year.

Divac played for the best teams in Sacramento at the turn of the century. He signed with the Kings in 1999 and was part of six playoff teams, including the team that reached the final phase of the Western Conference in 2002.

The organization has relied on Divac for some of its greatest moments over the years and now gives it the responsibility to make the Kings a contender in the championship.

"I know it was difficult two or three years ago, but I had a vision," said Divac. "Same thing now. I just need some time and we will be where we need to be.