The Sacramento Kings turned heads on Thursday morning when reports indicated that head coach Dave Joerger was on the verge of getting fired by general manager Vlade Divac. That eventually came to fruition, and following Joerger’s three years at the helm, the question becomes where the Kings will turn in their pursuit of a new coach.
It’s not hard to see how this would be a potentially fun job — Sacramento exceeded expectations by winning 39 games this season and finishing in ninth place in the Western Conference behind a young and exciting core. If Divac has his way, reports indicate that Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton may be the man for the job, with Sam Amick of The Athletic calling him the “clear frontrunner” under the obvious caveat that he has to be available.
Amid reports that Kings coach Dave Joerger's job is in jeopardy, league sources say that Sacramento would have interest in Luke Walton should they decide to go through with a coaching change
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 11, 2019
Walton, of course, is not currently available. He remains coach of the Lakers after Magic Johnson's abrupt departure this week … after it was widely expected that Walton would be ousted today
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 11, 2019
Can confirm @wojespn report that Kings GM Vlade Divac will fire coach Dave Joerger today. Lakers coach Luke Walton – if available – is the clear frontrunner here, per sources. Former New Orleans coach Monty Williams is also a strong candidate, as is Spurs asst. Ettore Messina.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 11, 2019
But of course, because so much is in flux in Sacramento right now and because Walton still has a job in L.A., writing his name down in pen as the next head coach is premature. Walton is hardly the only candidate, as names like Williams and Spurs assistant Ettore Messina have popped up as potential candidates, too.
Joerger engineered the Kings most successful season since 2006, but Divac is consolidating power around himself. Philadelphia assistant Monty Williams has been a primary target for Kings management, sources said. He's expected to be a candidate for openings elsewhere this spring. https://t.co/fyKLDDbRuH
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2019
Another candidate to watch, I'm told: Ettore Messina, currently w/ the Spurs. https://t.co/7T6nOZ2kd3
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) April 11, 2019
Monty Williams, now with Philly, will have interest beyond the Kings as well. As for Spurs assistant Ettore Messina, my understanding is that he would definitely want the job. The combo of being one of Europe's most successful coaches ever and a Popovich disciple is strong
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 11, 2019
Despite the weirdness and suddenness that is Joerger’s ouster, there’s a foundation in place that could end up making this an appealing gig. Who knows what direction they’ll end up going in, but when it comes to how the team is built, it’s reasonable to think the next coach could be the one to lead Sacramento back to the postseason.
