VLADE DIVAC OF SACRAMENTO KINGS QUITS

Sacramento Kings General Manager Vlade Divac is stepping down, the NBA team said in a statement Friday.

The Kings said Joe Dumars has been named the interim executive vice president of basketball operations and will “immediately” assume the general manager’s responsibilities, according to KCRA 3 News.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the General Manager for the Kings,” Divac said in a statement. “I want to thank Vivek for the opportunity and recognize all of the incredible colleagues who I had the great pleasure of working with during my tenure. Sacramento and the Kings will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish them all the best moving forward.”

Divac was the Kings general manager for five seasons.

“This was a difficult decision, but we believe it is the best path ahead as we work to build a winning team that our loyal fans deserve,” Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé said in a statement. “We are thankful for Vlade’s leadership, commitment and hard work both on and off the court. He will always be a part of our Kings family.”

The team will work with Dumars to develop a strategy for the Kings’ basketball operations structure – including finding a new general manager.

Dumars was named special advisor to the general manager in June 2019, the Kings said. He has more than 30 years of experience in the NBA as a player and front office executive.

“Joe has become a trusted and valued advisor since joining the team last year, and I am grateful to have him take on this role at an important time for the franchise,” Ranadivé said.

The Kings said no other details will be released until a new general manager is in place.