Vlade Divac' is already having a spectacular week and it's possible it will get a lot better before it's over.
After being named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2019 on Saturday morning, NBA sources confirm that extension talks for the former player turned exec, are about to heat up in Sacramento.
Since joining the Kings' front office in 2015, Divac has reshaped the the roster dramatically. He made a mistake or two early in his tenure, but a series of bold trades and savvy draft picks has Sacramento back on track.
Divac's signature decision was the trade involving All-Star DeMarcus Cousins at the 2017 trade deadline. Despite the risk, the deal has worked out for Sacramento and helped to lead the team to it's best season in over a decade.
The Kings enter the final game of the 2018-19 season with 39 wins. While they failed to snap the franchise's 13-year playoff drought, Divac and his staff have put together a young and exciting squad with tremendous upside.
Divac has one more year remaining on his contract and it is unknown at this time how long the potential extension may cover.
Locking up Divac is one on a few important decisions facing the Kings coming into this offseason. With an estimated $38 million in salary cap space heading into the summer and a cupboard full of budding young players, showing stability in management is a strong step forward for Sacramento.
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In September of 2017, the Kings extended the contracts of both Divac and head coach Dave Joerger through the 2019-20 season. While Divac is set to enter extension talks, there is no word yet if Joerger will again be part of the discussion.
Joerger's team has exceeded all expectations this season. He has led the Kings to their best record since the 2005-06 season under head coach Rick Adelman and they have a shot to reach the 40-win plateau in the season finale Wednesday night in Portland.
In addition to Divac and Joerger, the team has to decide their direction with free agents Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos, as well as consider a potential extension for sharp shooter, Buddy Hield.
It should be an interesting summer for the Kings. With any luck, they'll continue to build on the current success and hopefully avoid dampening the positive momentum they have moving forward.
Marc Stein of the New York Times was first with the news of Divac's extension talks.
