The Sacramento Kings announced Wednesday afternoon that they have extended the contracts of both general manager Vlade Divac and the team’s coach Dave Joerger to the 2019-20 season.
As they embark on a lengthy rebuild, the Sacramento Kings have been looking to put their instability behind them in the moves they’ve made all offseason.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Kings further emphasized that as they announced that they have extended the contract of general manager Vlade Divac and picked up the fourth year option for their head coach Dave Joerger.
While the decision to extend the contracts of both Divac and Joerger might seem like mere formalities depending on your point of view, the Kings are undoubtedly securing the footing of both figures ahead of what’s to come over the next few seasons.
For Joerger, having that extra bit of security has to be a relief as he heads into his second season at the helm for the Kings.
Joerger was tasked with an incredibly tough job of trying to lead what was a poorly constructed Kings team to the playoffs last season, which ended up being the last gasp of the DeMarcus Cousins era.
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After the Kings finally called it quits by trading Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans at the All-Star break last year, Joerger pivoted to throwing the team’s then-rookies in the fire, which essentially served as the basis for what will define the next few seasons for the Kings.
While there’s a question of how Joerger will deploy a team as young and inexperienced as the Kings are heading into the season, he holds a wealth of experience of managing developing teams at lower levels like in the G League and the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association.
With the move being made official, Joerger released a statement via the team’s announcement.
"“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. Together, we are bonded as a group focused on working hard and developing our team.”"
In the case of Divac, the decision to extend his contract may come as a bit of a shock to some who follow the league.
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Being as inexperienced as he was in taking on the role of acting as the team’s GM starting in the 2014-15 season, the misguided moves Divac has made in the past continue to define the perception that surrounds him in the eyes of many.
For those reasons, the Kings not only made numerous changes to the team’s roster this offseason, they also strengthened the team’s front office in many areas to bolster the infrastructure in the organization around Divac.
Despite any of the shortcomings that he’s made during his tenure with the Kings, Divac has definitely done his part in shaping the team in how it looks as it goes into the upcoming season, whether it’s been the acquisition of the many picks that have now become the players that are on the roster or simply pulling the plug on the Cousins era.
Regarding the move to extend his contract to the 2019-20 season, this is what Divac had to say via the team’s announcement.
"“I am so excited to continue to build this team with incredible partners and want to thank Vivek and the entire Sacramento Kings organization for their support. Together, from ownership to the front office to Dave and his team, we’re unified in our vision for the future of this franchise. I look forward to the hard work and fun ahead as we strive to make Sacramento proud.”"
Of course, we have a long time until we finally see the payoff and whether this rebuild will be as rewarding as all Kings fans hope it will be. On that note, this season will give us our first extended look in seeing if the Kings as an organization have what it takes to finally get back on the right track and provide hope for their future.
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But whether it ultimately will or not is besides the point right now, and the Kings’ decision to commit further to both Divac and Joerger is even more evidence that they’re in it for the long haul, no matter the outcome.