Contract extension for Divac + David Morway

[Mike]

Hopefully Vlad can continue to build a competitive roster and help make the right decision for our next head coach. When this season ends, he's got two seasons to prove to Cousins that his long term future should be here in Sacramento. If this team makes the play offs next season (2016-17) and starts to trend towards top four by the following season (2017-18), we should be able to keep Cousins long term. If nothing changes or improves, we'll lose him when he becomes an UFA in 2018. At which point I hope we have draft picks available because we'll be heading towards yet another rebuild...

Vlad has a big job ahead of him.

 

[Livinthedream]

LeBron didn't have to wait, as Love wasn't a must. He wasn't even a good fit for the Cavs, as became evident now (IMHO). Other star vets in FA may have been just as ready to form a "big 3" of some sort.

Wiggins, on the other hand, could have been a star in the making apprentice/ future franchise player (with Kyrie). Someone who could gradually take the burden of leadership, and sustain the team's success for years to come, like SAS manages to do so well.

This is the sort of extreme "win now" mode that Bron forced the Cavs into, noted also in their failure to stick with David Blatt, a great BBall mind that you could try and build a dynasty with, but not an NBA-proven HC.

I really think that this Bron-induced state of mind will backfire big time, leaving the Cavs depleted of talent and title-hungry for at least another decade. Well, only time will tell... (not long, really. I think this post-season marks the close of this super-tight window of opportunity).

Back to our beloved Kings, and what we can learn from it -
I really hope that we don't overdo our own "win-now" attempt.

I think we should build around local heros and locally developed talent, like the DMC/WCS pair, with the likes of Omri Quincy & Seth. (Sorry if I missed some).
All these are hard working players that either call Sactown home, or feel gratefull to this team for their chance to shine. That is the core to build around and carefully add picks and FA talent into, as I see it.

That humble core, with the right young, hungry, up-and-coming, great coach (Walton? Blatt?) and some patience and stability upstairs WOULD TURN THIS ORGANISATION AROUND.

One year of THAT, even if we don't make the playoffs (and I am sure we WILL) - and Cousins would NOT want to go anywhere! (Good things feel good even in the making)

Sounds like we agree.

 

[sactownfan]

Valde's moves this offseason look horrible right now. We trade away a young player, future 1st, and 2 consecutive years of pick swaps to win 3-4 more games than last year?

Sixers fleeced us, and many are in denial about it. Of course I'd rather have Rondo, Kofus over Landry, Thompson...but not at the expense of what we gave up.

Vlade just needs to bring in a real GM. Reports were that he was looking at potential GMs during all star weekend.

I don't feel comfortable with moving forward with him as the GM. I was excited for Vlade, but now? Not so much. I have 0 problems with him as VP.

Umm 76'er have to finish worse for us to get fleeced. Lol! And that's not gonna happen this year or next.

And this young talent we gave away... U mean nik rocks? Wow he's horrible jimmer 2.0....

George Karl has been historically terrible this year... And has totally misused almost everyone on this team. WCS for example... Btw a Vlade pick... Was a major key to our best winning streak this season... That wasn't coincidental....

I'm reserving all judgement on Vlade until next season after he hires coach or for the first time since Vivek took over the gm hires a coach.

 

[ockingsfan]

What happened to all the David Morway for GM talk?

I sure would like to have a GM in place by the end of the season, so the GM will be able to chose their own Head Coach.

 

[Bricklayer]

What happened to all the David Morway for GM talk?

I sure would like to have a GM in place by the end of the season, so the GM will be able to chose their own Head Coach.

It will be Vlade's coach.

If Morway does come as GM, he'll very likely be the sort of GM he was under Bird. Day to day guy. Detail man while Vlade is the vision.

 

[ockingsfan]

It will be Vlade's coach.

If Morway does come as GM, he'll very likely be the sort of GM he was under Bird. Day to day guy. Detail man while Vlade is the vision.

Either way, it would be nice to have additional experienced GM to help the Front Office during the draft, free agent time and trade time.

 

[Bricklayer]

Either way, it would be nice to have additional experienced GM to help the Front Office during the draft, free agent time and trade time.

Don't mind that idea at all. Morway was there while the Pacers acquired/drafted most of their defensive pieces for their brief defensive juggernaught teams there.

 

[Kingster]

It will be Vlade's coach.

If Morway does come as GM, he'll very likely be the sort of GM he was under Bird. Day to day guy. Detail man while Vlade is the vision.

And what exactly is the Divac vision?

 

[gunks]

And what exactly is the Divac vision?

Build a team with Cuz as the focus.

Not a bad vision.

Now, Belli was a failure. I believe that the FO may have overestimated KK's ability to play with Cuz, but he's still an excellent backup. WCS is the PERFECT front court mate moving forward (especially if he keeps hitting those Js).

Vlade also went after perimeter defenders. ... just didn't work out.

I still think this roster could have made the POs. Too bad Karl only had the energy to collect paychecks and throw players under the bus this season.

I still like Vlade as an idea man. We fix SG. Trade Rudy for some pieces... Hit in the draft again. ... Kick Karl's arse to the curb. ... We can make some noise.

 

[Bricklayer]

And what exactly is the Divac vision?

1) Build a team with a big frontline (evidence both WCS+Kosta+Cuz love, attempt to trade for Pau at deadline, even aborted Bargs signing)

2) Build a defensive team (evidence WCS, Kosta, attempt to sign Matthews, attempt to sign Mbah A Moute, demand that Karl bring in a defensive assistant)

3) Build a team full of veteran voices (evidence Rondo, Butler, Bels, Kosta etc. = again attempt to trade for Pau, to possibly be a new Vlade for us)

4) Build a team full of passers (evidence might have been Rondo and Bels, who know how to do it at a high level, but mostly from statements Vlade makes)

5) Build a team with some international flavor (evidence Casspi back, Bels, maybe Mbah and Bargs, attempt to trade for Pau, Euro-prospects PHL gave)


I am confused as to how such a broad swath of Kings fans acts confused about the plan. Nearly everything that has happened this year has followed a pattern. Surround Cuz with vets, try to improve the defense, The dissonant notes largely holdover pieces (Karl, Ben, Rudy) who were, shocker!, also the pieces being talked about moving at the deadline.

 

[sono]

Looks like he was trying to emulate 2002 Kings, unfortunately Rick, Doug, and Peja backfired on us.

 

[206Fan]

lol nobody knows what Vlade's plan is, except the playoffs. Your best guess...is exactly what it is...your guess.

 

[VF21]

lol nobody knows what Vlade's plan is, except the playoffs. Your best guess...is exactly what it is...your guess.

And his best guess is based on a lot more than a lot of folks' "best guess" - including a lot of sports writers/analysts.

You may not agree with Bricklayer (I don't always either) but to act as though he doesn't draw upon a wealth of knowledge about the topic at hand is just silly IMHO.

 

[pshn80]

Brck's analysis of Vlade's intent is good as it gets. Intended plan and what really happens are probably two different things - it's not like ordering on-line. I'll throw my lot with Vlade.

 

[206Fan]

And his best guess is based on a lot more than a lot of folks' "best guess" - including a lot of sports writers/analysts.

You may not agree with Bricklayer (I don't always either) but to act as though he doesn't draw upon a wealth of knowledge about the topic at hand is just silly IMHO.

It doesn't help he says things like this

I am confused as to how such a broad swath of Kings fans acts confused about the plan.

The minor point I meant from my comment is that nobody really knows what Vlade is doing. We can all interpret his moves in a major number of ways.

Brick says one of Vlade's plan was to build a big frontline. I disagree because had Wes Matthews signed here, we would've had no money for Kofus.

Build a defensive team? One could easily point that signing Rondo and Belinelli refutes that because both are below average/poor defenders. You can point to Rondos time in Dallas for this(most recent and fully healthy) and point at Belinelli's entire career as well.

Build a team full of passers? Maybe?

Build a team with international flavor? Not sure what this means. Is he saying increasing the diversity in the lockeroom? Maybe those players he named are just good players, and it has absolutely nothing to do with their ethnicity.. Casspi- cheap contract for a bench hustle player..Belinelli- one of the worst 3pt shooting teams wants to bring in one of the best shooters...Mbah- fills bench need for a defensive player...Bargs- helps floor spacing and our need for a stretch 4.

It's honestly not as simple as it seems. Speculation is always fun, but his comment rubbed a bit weird.


Again, speculation is fun, but it's a but strange to provide a definitive answer that only Vlade and the FO knows.. I could argue that Vlade's' plan this year was to build around the core of Gay-Cousins with potential added shooters of Wesley Matthews, Mirza Teletovic. Perimeter based team that allowed Cuz and Gay to work underneath.

All our answers are different depending on how we look at the situation.

 

[VF21]

It doesn't help he says things like this

Actually, I totally and completely agreed with him on that point.

If you hadn't started your post with "lol" ...

 

[dude12]

And what exactly is the Divac vision?

How about stage 1 was adding to the talent base. Stage 2 is getting his own coach in here who shares his ideas on how to win and tinkering with the roster so that its pieces fit better and addressing the SG position and defensive shortcomings.

 

[Kingster]

1) Build a team with a big frontline (evidence both WCS+Kosta+Cuz love, attempt to trade for Pau at deadline, even aborted Bargs signing)

2) Build a defensive team (evidence WCS, Kosta, attempt to sign Matthews, attempt to sign Mbah A Moute, demand that Karl bring in a defensive assistant)

3) Build a team full of veteran voices (evidence Rondo, Butler, Bels, Kosta etc. = again attempt to trade for Pau, to possibly be a new Vlade for us)

4) Build a team full of passers (evidence might have been Rondo and Bels, who know how to do it at a high level, but mostly from statements Vlade makes)

5) Build a team with some international flavor (evidence Casspi back, Bels, maybe Mbah and Bargs, attempt to trade for Pau, Euro-prospects PHL gave)


I am confused as to how such a broad swath of Kings fans acts confused about the plan. Nearly everything that has happened this year has followed a pattern. Surround Cuz with vets, try to improve the defense, The dissonant notes largely holdover pieces (Karl, Ben, Rudy) who were, shocker!, also the pieces being talked about moving at the deadline.

If you're trying to induce the vision of Divac from the above, sure, I can see that. But there really isn't a pattern if you only have one year of data, especially when the moves end up with another horrific year of losing. Would it be so surprising if some of the moves of this past year are changed for the next year? Can this pattern of one year of losing change for next year?

I was hoping that Divac had recently articulated his "vision thing" and somebody would share it. Apparently not.

 

[ockingsfan]

How long does it take to finalize David Morway's contract for GM???

It's been almost 3 weeks and we are in a coaching search, but no GM. It would be nice for perspective coaches to know who the GM is, when they interview.

I'm starting to think no one wants to be the Kings GM.

 

[Bricklayer]

How long does it take to finalize David Morway's contract for GM???

It's been almost 3 weeks and we are in a coaching search, but no GM. It would be nice for perspective coaches to know who the GM is, when they interview.

I'm starting to think no one wants to be the Kings GM.

I don't get this.

Vlade is the GM. The GM is here.

Vlade will be hiring the coach.

Vlade will also be hiring some front office help.

But the front office help will not be hiring the coach.

 

[ockingsfan]

I don't get this.

Vlade is the GM. The GM is here.

Vlade will be hiring the coach.

Vlade will also be hiring some front office help.

But the front office help will not be hiring the coach.

Yes, Vlade will be making the final decision on the new head coach, but he is also trying to hire a GM to get some Front Office help. Let's not kid ourselves and believe Vlade can do everything by himself, he needs some veteran front office help.

The rumor 2 weeks ago was that Vlade was working on a contract with David Morway to be in the GM role and Vlade would stay the President of Basketball and still have final say in all matters.

BUT, if Vlade is planning to have a right hand man in the F.O., I think it is important to have this person involved with the Coaching search.

After all, Vlade states he wants the new Coach to be on the same page as the Front Office and the players, I would think that the new General Manager would have to be on the same page too.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Putting some big name new GM along side Vlade might be too many chefs in the kitchen. Kings reeking kitchen that for too long has been total mess. Besides what does Bratz do? Why not just hire an NBA capologist nerd that can expertly crunch the numbers answering directly to Vlade. It seems Kings long dysfunctional FO needs more streamlining than piling more voices on top of voices. Oh, well maybe it's that other "V" who is pushing hire a GM.

 

[pshn80]

Putting some big name new GM along side Vlade might be too many chefs in the kitchen. Kings reeking kitchen that for too long has been total mess. Besides what does Bratz do? Why not just hire an NBA capologist nerd that can expertly crunch the numbers answering directly to Vlade. It seems Kings long dysfunctional FO needs more streamlining than piling more voices on top of voices. Oh, well maybe it's that other "V" who is pushing hire a GM.View attachment 5684

Have a little faith. It's not only possible but quite likely they are n the process of solving the problems they've had. Trouble is they are not doing it for our benefit nor on our schedule.

 

[VF21]

Yes, Vlade will be making the final decision on the new head coach, but he is also trying to hire a GM to get some Front Office help. Let's not kid ourselves and believe Vlade can do everything by himself, he needs some veteran front office help.

The rumor 2 weeks ago was that Vlade was working on a contract with David Morway to be in the GM role and Vlade would stay the President of Basketball and still have final say in all matters.

BUT, if Vlade is planning to have a right hand man in the F.O., I think it is important to have this person involved with the Coaching search.

After all, Vlade states he wants the new Coach to be on the same page as the Front Office and the players, I would think that the new General Manager would have to be on the same page too.

There's a key word in all that: RUMOR.

 

[Telemachus]

Yes, Vlade will be making the final decision on the new head coach, but he is also trying to hire a GM to get some Front Office help. Let's not kid ourselves and believe Vlade can do everything by himself, he needs some veteran front office help.

The rumor 2 weeks ago was that Vlade was working on a contract with David Morway to be in the GM role and Vlade would stay the President of Basketball and still have final say in all matters.

BUT, if Vlade is planning to have a right hand man in the F.O., I think it is important to have this person involved with the Coaching search.

After all, Vlade states he wants the new Coach to be on the same page as the Front Office and the players, I would think that the new General Manager would have to be on the same page too.

Vlade has said on multiple occasions that HE is the GM, and that won't change. He is looking for help in the front office, but he will remain the GM.

 

[ockingsfan]

Vlade has said on multiple occasions that HE is the GM, and that won't change. He is looking for help in the front office, but he will remain the GM.

Really?

Vlade openly said he was searching for some experienced front office help a few weeks back.

If he was really negotiating with David Morway, a guy like David Morway would only come here to be a GM or assistant GM.

I don' think Morway would come to Sactown to be a scout and the Kings already have an assistant GM in Mike Bratz.

 

[VF21]

Really?

Vlade openly said he was searching for some experienced front office help a few weeks back.

If he was really negotiating with David Morway, a guy like David Morway would only come here to be a GM or assistant GM.

I don' think Morway would come to Sactown to be a scout and the Kings already have an assistant GM in Mike Bratz.

We don 't know that he was negotiating with David Morway. Check the OP again. There's been no mention of Morway or additional rumors about him since that time.

 

[Telemachus]

Really?

Vlade openly said he was searching for some experienced front office help a few weeks back.

If he was really negotiating with David Morway, a guy like David Morway would only come here to be a GM or assistant GM.

I don' think Morway would come to Sactown to be a scout and the Kings already have an assistant GM in Mike Bratz.

Last time I checked, an assistant GM is front office help (and not the GM). I'm sure you can have more than one assistant. I also wouldn't be surprised if Bratz went back to the position he had before taking over as assistant GM.

 

[hrdboild]

Vlade is going to remain the GM and team president until further notice, and that's a good thing. He may not be the most experienced basketball executive, but he certainly knows basketball, and he loves Sacramento. And the best possible path forward for us is one where Vlade picks the coach, builds the team, and remains accountable for his decisions. Then we're building a team not just a collection of talent in matching uniforms.

Vivek's think-tank idea was an interesting failure. It might have worked. You could say that it failed because of the particular people he chose to listen to, but I don't think it was entirely that. There was a certain mercenary mentality with all of these guys -- even Mitch Richmond -- who hasn't associated himself much with the franchise before or after his brief run as adviser; a position which seems to have had more to do with Chris Mullin's involvement than his role as a retired former Kings hero. PDA would have taken any GM job as a stepping stone to prove himself. Mullin was ousted from Golden State and happened to know an impressionable new owner who was willing to listen to his personnel suggestions. There was nothing particularly Sacramento about any of them and their decision-making was more about trying to prove themselves than about trying to solidify the future of the franchise. Look at how they treated Tyreke in their first month on the job and that bizarre 24 hour only contract offer to Igoudala. They were convinced they were the smartest guys in the room and they wanted you to know it. Maybe I'm reading the situation incorrectly, but it was the dismissive manner in which many season ticket holders were treated as open wallets rather than loyal customers and the way this motley crew of first-timers condescended and talked down to us about the "style of basketball" that we wanted to see that angered me more than any particular decision they made.

And what Vlade represents is the exact opposite of that. He's one person with one vision of how the team should be built. He loves this franchise as much as we do. He's brought in former teammates and coaches and sought their advice or offered them formal jobs in the organization. This feels much more comfortable to me because it feels like a family. Vlade may not be a big name in the GM world, but that doesn't mean he can't be in time. We've got to give him a chance to see what he can do. But regardless I appreciate the feeling of family that he's brought back to the team. We shouldn't try to be Golden State or Los Angeles or New York. We have our own traditions and eccentricities and there's nothing wrong with that. Of course Vlade should hire whoever he wants to hire to help him do his job to help the team. But the hand-ringing over lack of experience or know-how is a national media fiction. Nobody starts their career with an impressive resume. Vlade represents Sacramento and he's loyalty personified. That makes him the right choice at the right time.

 

[funkykingston]

Really?

Vlade openly said he was searching for some experienced front office help a few weeks back.

If he was really negotiating with David Morway, a guy like David Morway would only come here to be a GM or assistant GM.

I don' think Morway would come to Sactown to be a scout and the Kings already have an assistant GM in Mike Bratz.

Morway's title would presumably be General Manager but I assume the working relationship would be similar or the same as when Morway worked with Larry Bird (who was also VP of basketball operations by the way) where Bird still ran the draft, targeted free agents, engaged in trade talks etc and Morway essentially handled the details.