Kings give GM Vlade Divac contract extension through 2022-2023 season

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Vlade Divac already is having a spectacular week. It’s got even better before it was over.

After being named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2019 on Saturday morning, the Kings announced Thursday that Divac would be getting an extension through the 2022-23 season. 

Marc Stein of The New York Times was first to report the news of Divac's extension talks.

Since joining the Kings’ front office in 2015, Divac has dramatically reshaped the roster. 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 as general manager was the trade involving All-Star DeMarcus Cousins at the 2017 deadline. Despite the risk, the deal has worked out for Sacramento and helped lead the franchise to its 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.

Locking up Divac is one of a few important decisions facing the Kings as they head into the 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.

In September 2017, the Kings extended the contracts of both Divac and coach Dave Joerger through the 2019-20 season. While Divac got his extension, the Kings are set to fire head coach Dave Joerger on Thursday. 

Joerger’s team has exceeded all expectations this season. He has led the Kings to their best record since 2005-06, and they finished the season with a 39-43 record.

[RELATED: Blazers resting Lillard, McCollum in finale vs. Kings]

In addition to Divac and Joerger, the team has to make decisions on free agents Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos, as well as consider a potential extension for sharpshooter Buddy Hield.

It should be an interesting summer for the Kings. Their goal is to continue to build on the current success and avoid dampening the positive momentum they have moving forward.

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