The Sacramento Kings are moving on from Dave Joerger, and it sounds like they are hoping the Los Angeles Lakers decide to do the same with their head coach.
According to multiple reports, Kings general manager Vlade Divac will meet with Joerger on Friday to inform him the team is going in another direction. Luke Walton is considered the “clear frontrunner” for the job if the Lakers also fire him, and Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Monty Williams is another name to watch.
Can confirm @wojespn report that Kings GM Vlade Divac will fire coach Dave Joerger today. Lakers coach Luke Walton – if available – is the clear frontrunner here, per sources. Former New Orleans coach Monty Williams is also a strong candidate, as is Spurs asst. Ettore Messina.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) 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
Joerger won 39 games with the Kings this season, which was the most in his three years as the team’s coach. However, Sacramento missed the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season.
Walton has widely been expected to be fired following a disappointing season for the Lakers, but there have been indications that Magic Johnson’s abrupt departure could have an impact on those plans.
