Dave

Joerger

Joerger’s stops in the NBA include stints as head coach of the Grizzlies from 2013-16, head coach of the Kings from 2016-19 and assistant coach of the 76ers from 2020-21. Rex Kalamian has also joined Rivers’ coaching staff after stops as an assistant with the Kings, Pistons, Clippers, Raptors and Thunder.

Joerger was in contention for the head coaching gig in Indiana, but his interview with the Pacers reportedly didn’t go over very well. Still, landing a spot on Rivers staff can be a great jumping-off point for future opportunities.

The Pacers have cast a wide net and have reportedly talked with about 20 candidates according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. That list has been shortened with formal interviews starting this week, and it sounds like Joerger, Pelicans assistant Chris Finch and Chauncey Billups are among the contenders. Mike D’Antoni is also very much in play after the 76ers chose Doc Rivers over him.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Hammon and Joerger are among more than a dozen candidates who will participate in a first round of virtual interviews. San Antonio’s Will Hardy, Miami’s Dan Craig and Chris Quinn, Dallas’ Jamahl Mosley and Stephen Silas, Milwaukee’s Darvin Ham and Charles Lee, Orlando’s Pat Delany, Minnesota’s David Vanterpool, Philadelphia’s Ime Udoka, Brooklyn’s Jacque Vaughn and Portland’s Nate Tibbetts are some of the other assistant coaches listed in Woj’s report.

Vlade Divac butted heads with Joerger, and he’s looking to consolidate his power fresh off inking a four-year extension. In addition to Joerger, Divac has severed ties with assistant GM Brandon Williams and also let go of their long-time director of media relations, Chris Clark. Monty Williams and Ettore Messina are reportedly candidates to replace Joerger, but if Luke Walton becomes available, he’ll be the frontrunner for the Sacramento head coaching gig.

Joerger improved Sacramento’s record by 12 wins during his 2018-19 campaign, coaching the team to 39 wins, which is the most successful season this franchise has had since 2005. He also did an excellent job developing De’Aaron Fox, and while he had No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley on a tight leash to begin the year, he eventually turned him lose over the second half of the season. But hey, Kings gonna Kangz, so at this point, it would be surprising if Joerger didn’t get fired.

There was some discord between Joerger and the Kings front office staff earlier this season, with things coming to a head in November when Joerger asked assistant GM Brandon Williams to not be present during shootarounds, but tensions between the two have reportedly dissipated. Anything could happen, but for now, it seems that Joerger will finish out the season in Sacramento.

Amick has reported countless stories on the Kings, so his credibility is about as good as it gets on the subject. It’s been two weeks since Yahoo! reported about Joerger possibly having job security issues. Amick adds Joerger believes that Williams was the source of the story and is upset with the organization for not levying any discipline against Williams. The Kings may have a tough time repairing the rift between Williams and Joerger.

The rift reportedly stems from differing views of “the franchise’s priorities and direction,” and Yahoo’s Chris Haynes writes, “Joerger’s handling of 2018 No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley III could eventually lead to the coach’s dismissal.” In response, Sacramento released a terse statement refuting the report. “Dave has our full support and confidence,” it reads. “We continue to work together to develop our young core and compete.”

“We’re excited about the young guys we have and we’re going to commit to playing more young guys than we have in the past,” Joerger said. Could it be? Could the Kings finally have learned how to develop their guys? If so, this could be wonderful news for the fantasy values of guys like De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley III and Harry Giles.