The Kings are stabilizing their front office while also shaking things up.
First came the stability from ESPN’s Marc Stein:
ESPN sources say that the Kings are finalizing a multi-year contract extension with vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 30, 2016
But there’s more:
Sources say Sacramento also close to adding a seasoned NBA executive to its front office; David Morway has emerged as the leading candidate.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 30, 2016
Divac took over as Kings general manager a little more than a year ago. Since then, the Kings have made some moves which haven’t proven to be the savviest, including a trade last summer that saw the organization give up players and future picks for unnecessary cap space (when the Kings could’ve found a way to open up that space without giving away picks, anyway). Odd personnel moves and a 29-45 record that will keep the organization out of the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season have followed.
Over the past few years, the Kings have become known primarily for their inner turmoil.
Divac came into the front office to supplant then-GM Pete D’Alessandro. After Divac eclipsed D’Alessandro, the team ousted their current GM for Vlade. They’ve cycled through coaches over the past few years, as well, including Keith Smart, Michael Malone, Tyrone Corbin and George Karl. All of whom have had problems with either players or ownership.
The issues have leaked down to the clubhouse. Earlier this year, Divac even reportedly asked players if the Kings should fire Karl. The team essentially proceeded to fire him, then changed its mind. Meanwhile, the franchise’s best player, DeMarcus Cousins, has had a damaged relationship with Karl ever since Karl reportedly wanted him traded as early as last summer.
The kicker is the second tweet from Stein, though. The Kings are showing enough faith in Divac to bring him back, but they’re not necessarily letting him do it alone again, though it’s possible Morway wasn’t always the only candidate.
For those who wondered about Kings GM candidate @BobbyMarks42, he made it clear shortly after Feb. meeting that it wouldn't be a good fit.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 30, 2016
Morway has been out of work since this past September, when the Bucks let him go, and though Stein doesn’t specify what position he might hold in Sacramento, he does have experience high up in an NBA front office.
He was general manager John Hammond’s assistant GM in Milwaukee before being ousted at the beginning of this season. He was previously the general manager of the Pacers from 2008 to 2012.
