Vlade Divac: My Satisfaction Will Come When Kings Start Winning
When Vlade Divac was informed by Vivek Ranadive that he was passing management authority of the Sacramento Kings to Joe Dumars, the former GM knew his time with the franchise was coming to an end.
“It’s a part of life. You have to make tough decisions,” Divac told the Sacramento Bee.
“I didn’t expect it but then I wasn’t surprised either. We didn’t accomplish what we expected this season. That’s the bottom line...That’s my responsibility.”
Divac confirmed Ranadive didn\'t meddle with the decisions after the first year.
“Maybe the first year when I came in, but after that he was very supportive,” Divac said. “He let me do what I wanted to do. He wanted to know what was going on. He shared his thoughts with me about decisions. But it (running the basketball operations) was all mine.”
The decision to select Marvin Bagley over Luka Doncic has been a major issue between Divac and Ranadive.
“Yeah,” Divac said.
“That was my decision,” he said. “I still believe Marvin has big upside. But I needed more time to prove it. I’m sure Marvin is going to prove everybody wrong. But in this league, you need to produce right now. People don’t have patience but I’m OK with that.”
Divac had a mixed record with the Kings in trading DeMarcus Cousins for Buddy Hield, drafting De\'Aaron Fox and landing Bogdan Bogdanovic, while the Bagley over Doncic selection will almost certainly always linger.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity of being a GM,” he said.
Divac was asked if he feels bitter.
“I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus,” he said. “You never know if another opportunity will come up for me but I’m not going to chase it. What’s far more important than having a goal is the way you act on the way to your goal. My satisfaction will come when the Kings start winning.”
