NBA Rumors: Sacramento Kings Hiring Dave Joerger From Memphis Grizzlies

NBA rumors are swirling around Dave Joerger. After his surprising dismissal from the Memphis Grizzlies, he immediately became a top candidate for the Sacramento Kings and their vacant head coaching position. According to ESPN, the two sides have already had a few discussions. The belief right now is that Joerger is in the lead. He had a very good meeting with general manager Vlade Divac. Dave is now scheduled to interview with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive soon.

To give you an idea about how close Dave Joerger and the Sacramento Kings are to an agreement, there are already reports about how much the contract is going to be worth. Word going around is that it will be a four year pact worth approximately $16 million. Some are even saying that the fourth year will be a team option. That’s a pretty decent pay day for someone that doesn’t have a lot of name value in the NBA.

The feeling is that Vlade Divac has already made up his mind, so it’s basically up to Vivek Ranadive. If Dave Joerger can impress him in the interview, which is rumored to be taking place on Monday, then an announcement could be made as early as Tuesday afternoon. Divac and Joerger spent a considerable amount of time together on Sunday, discussing plans on how the two of them can make the Sacramento Kings an NBA contender again.

It bodes well for Dave Joerger that the Sacramento Kings are working so quickly to acquire his services. Vivek Ranadive sent his private jet to Tennessee to pick up the head coach. Then, they stopped by Nebraska to pick up Joerger’s wife and kids. The fact that Joerger leapfrogged over other candidates show just how badly the Kings are wanting him to become their replacement for George Karl.

Interestingly enough, one of the candidates that Dave Joerger leapfrogged over is Elston Turner. The latter interviewed with the Sacramento Kings for their vacant head coaching position. Turner served as the lead assistant coach for Joerger this past season. There are talks that Joerger might hire Turner for the same role with the Kings. Sacramento is giving Dave the freedom to hire his own coaching staff without a lot of interference from Vlade Divac or Vivek Ranadive.

Dave Joerger is extremely pleased to be leaving the Memphis Grizzlies. For a couple of years now, he and his representatives have been seeking permission from management to interview for other jobs in the NBA. Joerger has not been getting along with the Grizzlies front office. He feels that they have not been able to build him a roster that is legitimately capable of competing in the National Basketball Association. His relationship with Vlade Divac will be an interesting one to keep an eye on.

Vlade Divac has much to prove as a general manager, so he is hoping that Dave Joerger is the right choice as the new head coach of the Sacramento Kings. Many in the NBA were critical of how Divac handled the situation between All Star center DeMarcus Cousins and previous head coach George Karl. The veteran coach revealed that he didn’t feel empowered by Divac and Vivek Ranadive when it comes to handled the troubled Cousins.

Another new era is starting for the Sacramento Kings next season. It seems to happen very frequently since the days when Chris Webber and Vlade Divac were dominating front courts in the NBA. Vivek Ranadive is hoping that this era lasts more than a couple of years. He would love it if Dave Joerger were able to earn a second contract from the Kings.