It was always obvious that Dave Joerger's dismissal had less to do with the Sacramento Kings' on-court performance in 2018-19 than big-picture disagreements with the front office. Just in case anyone was blissfully ignorant of that reality, though, Kings general manager Vlade Divac implicitly confirmed as much while describing what he's looking for from Sacramento next head coach.

“The coach I’m looking for has to bring first, the style we had last year, that Kings style,” he told The Athletic's Jason Jones. “We have to play that way, up-tempo and moving the ball and communication, defined roles, and obviously believing in everything.”

The Kings, broadly expected to be among the league's worst teams this season, instead finished a respectable 39-43, remaining a factor in the Western Conference playoff race until late March. Playing the third-fastest pace in basketball after finishing dead last in the same category a year ago, Sacramento, led by breakout sophomore point guard DeAaron Fox, established an identity that quickly made it one of the league's most exciting, entertaining teams.

Still, Joerger rarely found himself on the same page as management, who wanted him to strike the delicate, almost impossible balance of prioritizing the growth of young players while remaining competitive in a loaded Western Conference.

“I think our kids are very talented,” Divac said. “We have to believe in them and give them a chance to take advantage of their work and talent.”

The Kings are reportedly interested in hiring Luke Walton, who finally parted ways with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, as Joerger's replacement.