“The decision was mine,” stated Kings general manager Vlade Divac on Thursday morning after the termination of Dave Joerger and general manager Brandon Williams. The team deemed it necessary for the betterment of the season.
Addressing a news conference, Divac articulated that this move was made to elevate the team to the “next level,” acknowledging the satisfactory season but expressing the belief that greater achievements are attainable. Despite the Kings achieving their highest score since the 2005-06 playoff appearance, they fell short of reaching the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season.
Confident in finding a suitable replacement for Joerger following the All-Star Break, Divac affirmed that the Kings will promptly begin the search for a new coach to advance the team.
Below are some of the coaches under consideration:
Los Angeles Lakers Coach (Luke Walton)
Philadelphia 76ers assistant (Monty Williams)
San Antonio Spurs assistant (Ettore Messina)
Divac seeks a coach who aligns with the team’s run-and-gun system, aiming to establish a distinguished Kings style of play. He emphasized the need for the team to embody that style on the court.
Reflecting on the season, Divac concluded that a different trajectory is needed to propel the team forward. He expressed gratitude towards Dave for his contributions to the team and extended well wishes for his future endeavors.
Having been associated with the Kings since 1999 and part of six playoff squads, including the team that reached the Western Conference finals in 2002, Divac is trusted by the organization to lead the team towards championship contention based on his past accomplishments and experience.
In conclusion, Divac stressed the importance of allowing time for progress and affirmed the team’s commitment to reaching their intended destination.
