Kings extend contracts of GM Divac, coach Joerger
Stojakovic also takes on slightly different role in front office
SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings announced a contract extension for general manager Vlade Divac on Wednesday, and at the same time said they picked up the fourth-year option for head coach Dave Joerger, keeping him under contract through the 2019-20 season.
“I am so excited to continue to build this team with incredible partners and want to thank Vivek (Renadivé, owner of the Kings) and the entire Sacramento Kings organization for their support,” said Divac “Together, from ownership to the front office to Dave and his team, we’re unified in our vision for the future of this franchise.”
Divac, the team’s GM since 2015, is credited with building a young core of players for the team to build around, through trades and the NBA Draft, cobbling together the group of Skal Labissiere, Malachi Richardson, Georgios Papagiannis and Buddy Hield. This offseason, he orchestrated a draft effort that brought three first-round selections (De’Aaron Fox at No. 5, Justin Jackson at 15 and Harry Giles at 20), and brought in veterans Vince Carter, Zach Randolph and George Hill.
Joerger was hired in 2016 after three years as the Grizzlies’ head coach, and kept the Kings competitive through a period of change that saw star center DeMarcus Cousins traded to the Pelicans — which brought Hield into the fold.
“It is a great time to be in Sacramento and I’m thrilled by the opportunity to continue working alongside Vlade and the entire Kings organization,” said Joerger. “Together, we are bonded as a group focused on working hard and developing our team.”
Other changes in the front office came through on Wednesday — notably, former fan favorite Peja Stojakovic moved to Vice President of Basketball and Team Development after spending two seasons as VP of Player Personnel and Development.