NBA Rumors: Kings GM Vlade Divac Puts Foot Down With Team's Minority Owners

Vlade Divac reportedly is putting his foot down.

On a conference call with the 13 members of the Kings' advisory board and owner Vivek Ranadive, Divac told the team's minority owners to stop meddling, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported Monday, citing a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Kings general manager told the group to "[stop] with the meddling, bring an end to the alleged leaks in the media, try enjoying the ride while it's going so well and ... leave him alone as he tries to continue this turnaround," Amick reported Monday. Some of the same minority owners whom Divac addressed, according to Amick, previously had tried to take control of the team from Ranadive three years ago. 

When NBC Sports California's James Ham and another reporter spoke with Divac about the report on Monday night, he said "I just told them about my plan."

Despite the Kings' surprisingly solid start to the season, tension reportedly remains in Sacramento. Some of it stems from coach Dave Joerger removing assistant general manager Brandon Williams from a team practice in November, according to Amick. Williams was believed to be at the center of a mid-November Yahoo Sports story that said Kings management was not happy with Joerger. 

When the paperwork for one-year contract extensions was sent over to some of Joerger's assistants, Amick reported they received it from Williams. 

"Even now, Joerger has made it clear that he wants Williams to stay out of his space and has let his voice be heard when his wishes aren't respected," Amick wrote. "As such, the preference among some of the assistants was that Divac would have kept Williams out of the paperwork process."

The Kings improved to 23-21 with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, a half-game back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The team has not made it to the postseason since 2006. 

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