Pacific Notes: Divac, Clippers, Warriors, Gilgeous-Alexander

With young and promising players across the board, Kings chairman Vivek Ranadive is optimistic about his team’s future. In a span of two years, the club has managed to trade center DeMarcus Cousins, draft players such as De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III, as well as sign younger prospects.

“Vlade [Divac] is a Sacramento legend, he’s a Kings legend and he’s just a great guy and right now, the way I see it, he’s put the team in a position to have some exciting times ahead of us,” Ranadive said in an interview with The Sacramento Bee. “I’m very excited about the young players, our rookie (Bagley), the guys we got last year (in the draft), and I think it will be exciting to watch the team this year.”

Sacramento is likely to miss the playoffs this season, but the team is in great position to succeed in the future largely because of the moves made by Divac. The Kings are the sixth-youngest team in the league, guided by an experienced playoff-tested head coach in Dave Joerger.

There’s more from the Pacific Division:

• The Clippers are still trying to figure out their identity following the famous “Lob City” era, writes Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times. The team has a variety of young prospects, NBA veterans and players looking to prove themselves.
• Despite the negative attention, the Warriors feel confident in the center position on their roster, Brian Witt of NBA.com writes. Damian Jones, Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell are set to fill the position while All-Star DeMarcus Cousins rehabs from a torn Achilles.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could see significant playing time if he continues to improve, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said, according to Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register.