Kings Head Coach Dave Joerger Kicks Assistant GM Brandon Williams Out of Practice
Nov 30, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:37 am
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter
Just weeks ago, an article was published by Yahoo Sports, written by Chris Haynes, claiming there was frustration within the Kings front office at head coach Dave Joerger’s handling of rookie Marvin Bagley’s minutes. So much so that the Kings were considering firing Joerger, despite being off to one of their best starts in recent years. While never directly accused, Assistant General Manager Brandon Williams, who is in charge of a significant amount of the day-to-day workings of the Kings, is believed to be Haynes’ source in the article.
Yahoo Sources: There’s growing discord between Sacramento Kings and Dave Joerger that could eventually lead to change. https://t.co/THzErzZt8D
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 18, 2018
Thursday morning during shoot-around, before the Sacramento Kings host the Los Angeles Clippers, Joerger reportedly requested that Williams not be present after returning from weeks of extended travel. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Williams then left with General Manager Vlade Divac.
Divac, who quickly came to Joerger’s defense after the Yahoo article was published, released the following statement today:
“I have advised my front office and coaching staff to not focus on drama and rumors, but instead to focus on continuing to develop our young and exciting team. And that’s what we’re going to do.”