Following the most successful season the franchise has had in 13 years, the Sacramento Kings and GM Vlade Divac still found it necessary to shake things up within their coaching staff.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Kings have fired head coach Dave Joerger.
Kings fired coach Dave Joerger, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 11, 2019
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
Divac explained the thought process that went behind relieving Joerger of his duties. “After evaluating the season, I determined that we need to move in a different direction in order to take us to the next level,” Divac said in a statement. “On behalf of the entire Kings organization, I want to thank Dave for his contributions to our team and I wish him all the best.”
With the Kings performing well beyond expectations this season, it’s certainly a little bit head-scratching as to why Vlade Divac would decide to go ahead and fire Dave Joerger. Sacramento appeared to be coming along faster than expected with their young core, and Joerger’s leadership throughout the season played a large role in their success.
Joerger coached the Kings the past three seasons and posted a 98-148 record over that same span. Joerger also spent three years as the head coach in Memphis prior to taking the gig in Sacramento. Joerger has proven his ability to be a quality head coach in the NBA and should get another opportunity down the road.
As for the Kings, this again seems to leave them back at square one. A lot of the progress the team made this season will be hard to replicate going into next season under a new head coach. Stability is key towards NBA success and with the way Joerger was getting the most out of their younger players, this could be a move Divac and the Kings eventually come to regret.
