Sam Amick posted an article on The Athletic with chatter and notes around the trade market, the In-Season Tournament, including some fun notes regarding the Kings/Warriors game and the impact of the points differential. As always, Sam’s articles are worth the click and the time to read in their entirety. At the end of the article, he also answered the question that has apparently been heard in league circles regarding Vlade Divac’s regular presence at Sacramento Kings games, often with Vlade sitting with Vivek Ranadivé.
Divac’s frequent presence at Kings games sparked natural questions within league circles about why he had reappeared, especially since he is often seen sitting with owner Vivek Ranadive. But according to a team source, Divac was formally added as a “Kings ambassador” in early November.
The role, which is rooted entirely in the business side of the organization and includes no basketball operations influence, is focused on community, fan and business outreach. Divac, who began working in this role informally last season, recently traveled to China with longtime president of business operations John Rinehart as part of an effort to grow the Kings’ brand globally.
While I’m sure there will be some Kings fans who are still traumatized by Divac’s tenure as GM, and who won’t trust the assurances that Vlade’s role includes no influence on basketball ops, I personally think this is fantastic. This is the type of role that Vlade is perfect for. Vlade was beloved as a player, is universally beloved by those who meet him, and truly loves this franchise and wants it to succeed. The fact that Vlade is still around the team, rooting for the organization’s success, with no hint of wounded pride, tells you everything you need to know.
Vlade made some terrible mistakes as Kings GM, leading to his resignation in 2020. But Vlade has never wanted anything but success for the Kings, and I’m happy he’s in a role that he’s perfectly suited for.
The thumb’s up is for Harry, not that accursed jersey.
Oh ffs….things were going so well lately.
…and just this morning I learned Peaches is STILL doing pre/half/post game Kings shows on twitter. Lord have mercy that is hardcore.
All live streams matter.
Look out below!
If you don’t Lick that
I think he moved back to California, too. Thankfully his podcast is his own and he has no affiliation with the team.
so then he’s basically like a ……blogboy?
Grant is trying to stay relevant, it’s sad and pathetic.
As much as I dislike him, I’d take him and Jerry calling games over the other announcers we’ve had.
Yes please.
He’s a Kings fan. Doing a show not affiliated with the Kings. And enjoyable.
great for the organization to have Vlade around.
Not if history is any kind of guide.
History goes beyond three days you know.
Please elaborate on why a man who set a franchise back 10 years is great
that’s a bad question. but anyway, those years when Vlade was playing in Sac were amazing. it’s not just because his jersey was retired and he’s a hall of famer. he was a big part of the identity of the Kings. I mean, don’t know what else to say. It’s Vlade.
Any job that sends Vlade out of the country is a job that I fully support.
I kid, Vlade. I kid.
https://x.com/JandersonSacBee/status/1730030531574939889?s=20
Wow, they redid that gold K in a hurry. LOL
I was hoping they’d leave it gold….for Will.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAJNmWBa4AA5-xC?format=jpg
“Behind the door on the left is Luka Doncic. Behind the middle door is your choice of SGA, JJJ, MPJ, Mikal Bridges…whatever you do, do not pick the door on the right. Vlade? Vlade??? Vlade!!!”
“It’ll be fine! I did a lot of pre-planning on my white board!”
Fuck me I kinda forgot SGA was on that draft. I wished we never had that 2nd pick in the first place.
At least we got Trey for it.
Vivek: “Monte, I gave Vlade an exclusive key to the door under the gold K.”
Monte whispering to aides, “Quick, paint the K purple.”
LOL!
As long as he stays on the business side of things and doesn’t even sniff basketball operations, I’m cool with it.
Also, does anyone know if Vlade even lives in Sac? It’s not a big deal if he doesn’t, especially if he’s handleing international marketing and all, but I was wondering if he is rooted here like Doug, Peja, and others.
He definitely lived in Sacramento while he was GM and I’m not sure he moved away since he’s been back at games pretty consistently since then.
Don’t like it. Not even one bit. Vivek is hovering around basketball ops- rehiring Vlade and installing his kids is basketball decision making positions.
I could see Vivek jumping back in once McMair leaves etc. Vivek, like James Dolan May have learned nothing. IE- this team got better once Vivek backed off.
And Vlade owes Sac an apology for how horrible he was at GM. Taking zero accountability.
“If it wasn’t for me, your previous article would not have been made possible.”
(I’m joking–I know Fox was the obvious pick)
I mean, it’s about the only good thing Vlade did as GM and thank the gods that PHX took Josh Jackson at #4.
What’s his second best move as GM? Trading away DMC? Trade for Harrison Barnes?
Waiving Matt Barnes? (who he signed in the first place) 😉
Handing in his resignation.
Underrated comment
Did he hand it in, or did he tip it back out to the 3-point line?
(ducks, runs—love you, Vlade)
Maybe trading for Rudy Gay? Hiring Joerger? His misses were exponentially larger, more frequent and more damaging than his hits, so it is a bit of an exercise in futility, not unlike rooting for the Kings over those years.
I think it was Pete who traded for Rudy. The truth is, the only net positives from Vlade’s 5 year stint as GM is Fox and Barnes, which are also the only remnants of any of Vlade’s moves.
Yeah, it was PDA that pulled the trigger on the Gay trade.
The Dave Joerger firing / Luke Walton hiring wasn’t the worst thing that Vlade did, but it probably was the most emblematic of his tenure.
I still remember that when the news broke that Vlade was canning Joerger (who had just got the team to a 39-42 record) and replacing him with Walton, I knew deep down it was going to be a terrible hire (and this is before those allegations came out).
You mean the allegations that came out within 48 hours of the hire?
Top 3 worse moves (your ranking may vary)
Top 3 best moves (your ranking may vary)
On point lists.
I’ll temper the Bogi trade with the rumors that the Kings liked Domas at 8, but traded down to 13 (and getting Bogi’s rights), figuring that Domas would last to 13. He didn’t, and the Kings selected (shakes head) Papagiannis.
Oh wow, I had not heard that Vlade like Sabonis in that draft. Wasn’t that the draft the DMC tweeted “Lord give me strength!” after the Kings took PapaG at #13?
I wonder what the reaction would have been had Vlade took Sabonis at #8 after taking WCS at #6 the year prior, all with having DMC on the roster.
Also if you like a guy well enough at #8 but hope he falls to #13…then you f#@king take him at #8! That draft still makes me sick. Kings went in with the #8 and left with 3 first round picks in PapaG, Malachai Richardson and Skal. Who the hell whiffs like that?
I heard that Vlade didn’t like Sabonis’ dad…
That Luka kid seems pretty good, but he is no Duje Dukan
He was so bad at handling draft assets. The one that always flies below the radar is the ’17 draft. Yes, he scored on Fox. But he also had the 10 pick. Take a look at the roster of players available at 10 that he passed on to trade for the 15 and 20 picks. Next up, look at the available players that he passed on at 15 and 20. Much like the ’18 draft, he had to work really hard to come up empty.
Adding, I was on Malik Monk at 10. And it would have been a pretty big swing and a miss on my part, as Donovan Mitchell, Abedayo, Anunoby, were all on the board. Others included John Collins, Kuzma, Jarrett Allen, Derrick White, Josh Hart. And many of these guys were available at 15 and 20.
Oof. This whole list is giving me PTSD.
The worst thing Vlade did was except the job.
Provided some great quotes!
Sorry, I had a better answer two comments ago…
Super team, just young.
I’m not worried about VD having any juice where McNair is concerned. Ranadive fully understands what he’s got in GM.
And you’re right, ambassador is a perfect role. Their entire careers are spent overseas.
Don’t let Luke Walton’s contract hit you on the ass on your way to the airport.
Sorry, don’t want him having anything to do with the team any more. He and Vivek make a dangerous combo.
Totally agree. Vlade will have Vivek’s ear as he already has Matina’s . Pega back soon !
Vivek appears to have an infinite expense account. As long as fans continue to pay outrageous ticket prices and buy $20 beers, he can do whatever he wants. As long as Vlade stays away from ops, it’s cool.
Glad to see this legend in a role he can absolutely crush.
Better ambassador, better fit.
Man is a curse and a joke.This is a typical Vivek move. Back to meddling again. Hello Jerry Jones. He’s always lauded on here like some kind of legend. It’s really quite ridiculous. He set this organization back about 10 years. But hey let’s forgive the chain smoker and bring him back.
Only Sac would make this kind of move.
There was this mythical era before 2016. Few ever read about it.
Badge Legend