Sacramento Kings vice president and general manager Vlade Divac took shot after shot from the media after trading away the team's talisman in DeMarcus Cousins right as the All-Star Game came to a close. Coming into the season with plenty of new faces, the Serbian executive is confident the young talent acquired last season and this offseason can turn the tables for the cellar-dwelling franchise.
“When we made that decision [to trade Cousins], we knew exactly where we were going,” Divac told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “We made a plan and try to execute it. So far, it’s exactly what we want. We have nice, young talented kids, and obviously with the addition of veteran guys [they] are going to teach them on a daily basis what it takes to win, what it takes to be a pro. It’s going to help a lot.”
The Kings have added key veteran presences in George Hill, Vince Carter, and Zach Randolph to mentor rookies like No. 5 overall pick De'Aaron Fox, Frank Mason III, Justin Jackson, and Harry Giles.
“Vince sitting on the bench with our young guys will be a priceless thing,” Divac said. “To have those kids learn from him on the spot, same thing with [Randolph] and George. I’m really excited and happy about it.”
“Our goal is for those kids to learn every day, to play hard and compete. Good things are going to happen if they do that. We have to worry about us and trying to build what we believe is the right thing. We definitely believe this is the right way to do it. It’s early to say where we are going to be in the years ahead, but we’re headed in the right direction.”
While Sacramento boasts plenty of youth, Divac and management are hoping these cagey veterans can steer the ship and sail it forward as the rebuilding process begins and the organization hopes to make a 180 from the reputation they've built over the past decade.
Follow Us
Subscribe