Vlade Divac will do more than just become a face for the Sacramento Kings front office. Marc Stein of ESPN.com is reporting that Divac is now the Kings shot caller and lead decision maker.
Sources told ESPN.com that Divac, who was recently hired by the Kings under the seemingly broad title of vice president of basketball and franchise operations, is indeed regarded as the team’s top basketball official by owner Vivek Ranadive after months of turbulence in Sacramento.
The Kings have yet to formally announce their new power structure, but sources say that Divac has supplanted both general manager Pete D’Alessandro and former Kings adviser Chris Mullin — who just jumped to the college game as the new coach at alma mater St. John’s — as Sacramento’s lead basketball decision-maker.
The future of D’Alessandro in Sacramento, especially after the departure of his closest ally in the organization in Mullin, is unclear. Sources say, however, that the Kings have already launched a search to add another front-line basketball executive to work alongside Divac whether D’Alessandro stays or departs.
According to Stein, Chris Mullins decision to take the St. John’s job was made easier after tension arose because Mullins didn’t want to replace Mike Malone as the Kings head coach early this season.
It also helps that Divac is in love with DeMarcus Cousins.
“I understand his frustration,” Divac told The Bee in Tuesday’s editions. “We need better shooting, more talent. That’s obvious. And five years in the league and five coaches; DeMarcus needs stability. We’re trying to bring that with [Karl], myself and make this a stable situation.
“But when I look at him, I see a dominating big guy who is not afraid of anything. He’s playing in the paint, hustling, playing hard. I think he’s unbelievable. George is going to develop his passing abilities, create more opportunities for him because everybody is moving around. We’re going to help him. Believe me. Next year will be very different.”