Last week’s shakeup left Joe Dumars in charge of the Kings‘ front office, but that’s not a role he wants to keep long-term, according to Sam Amick and Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Dumars has no interest in remaining Sacramento’s head of basketball operations and will not be a candidate in the upcoming search, the authors report. However, he will be included in the hiring process and will interview candidates along with owner Vivek Ranadive. The new GM will have full control of roster moves and will report directly to Ranadive, rather than Dumars.
The Kings haven’t determined what Dumars’ role with the franchise will be once a new GM is selected, which could become a “problematic component,” Amick and Charania add. There’s no timeline to fill the opening, so Dumars and assistant GM Ken Catanella could be making the draft and free agency decisions in October.
Mike Forde of Sportsology is expected to be the leader in the search for GM candidates. He formerly served as senior manager for Chelsea’s soccer franchise in the English Premier League, and his web site lists the Clippers, Spurs, Sixers and Nets as clients. He also worked as an adviser for the Wizards last spring after they fired Ernie Grunfeld as president of basketball operations.
When he hired Dumars, Ranadive reportedly envisioned a power-sharing arrangement in the front office with former GM Vlade Divac. However, Divac wasn’t willing to accept that and opted to resign, followed a day later by assistant GM Peja Stojakovic.
The authors note there is “significant interest” in the position around the league, despite concerns about what Dumars’ ultimate role might be. “A swell of support” has emerged for Knicks GM Scott Perry, who briefly served as VP of basketball operations in Sacramento before leaving for New York. Sources claim Ranadive and Perry are still on good terms and have remained in touch in the nearly three years since Perry’s departure.
Perry helped the Kings get an individual workout with De’Aaron Fox before the 2017 draft and improved the organization’s reputation through his close relationships with agents and executives. Perry still has a year left on his contract, but a source tells the authors he would be interested in returning to Sacramento as long as he’s guaranteed the final decision on personnel moves. The Kings would have to request permission from the Knicks to talk to Perry, which sources tell Amick and Charania they hadn’t done as of Tuesday night.
The authors list Clippers assistant GMs Mark Hughes and Trent Redden as other candidates to watch, along with Raptors GM Bobby Webster, Celtics VP of basketball operations Mike Zarren, Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, Timberwolves executive VP of basketball operations Sachin Gupta, Spurs VP of basketball operations Brent Barry, and Rockets assistant GM Eli Witus.
As much as I want Mike Zarren to get a GM job… and I know you only get so many shots… but please for the love of god stay and hope something more stable presents itself
Former President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, David K……A……H……N is AVAILABLE!!
I’m not sure I’d want to join the Sacramento front office. It appears the organization is in complete disarray, with a lack of communication or established responsibilities. Ranadive might need to stop meddling so much in management duties if this team is to succeed
Bingo! The idea of envisioning Divac and Dumars sharing responsibilities is about as dumb as you could get. The more cooks you put in the kitchen the more likely you burn the dish. You need one guy calling the shots and establishing the vision. Divac was smart for stepping down.
If I’m a GM candidate there is no way I take that job unless I just want the money or I don’t honestly believe I’ll eventually get another offer.
It’s a fine job. Divac messed up a bit but maybe that can be avoided and Ranadive made pleased & quiet. Possibly he will favor an ex-jock, (if he liked Peja, Vlade & Dumars), but other California teams have not.
Kings need a trader
If I were Kings GM I would make good trade on every player
Start with the most overpaid players
Based on your post history, I’d say you’re the least qualified candidate.
Your plan as GM to trade everyone doesn’t seem to be well thought out.
Take Perry please. How these guys get to go other jobs is incredible to me. They get recycled like bottled water. Unfortunately some of them are worthless. May the Knicks gods guide Perry on his way out. Bye
I am more confidence on Knicks than Bulls, Pistons, Wizards and Kings
Brilliant
I wouldn’t be. The Wizards need 1 good trade to turn it around, or for the lottery to break their way.
The Bulls have new leadership. They just have to decide who to keep between Markinnen and Lavine, then flip the other for something useful.
Dumars still regretting taking Darko over Melo or Wade