March 2019 Sacramento Kings Wiretap

NBA, Kings To Conduct Joint Investigation Into Sexual Assault Allegations Against Luke Walton

Apr 25, 2019 2:52 PM

The NBA has announced they will conduct a joint investigation with the Sacramento Kings concerning allegations of a sexual assault against Luke Walton.

Walton was recently hired by the Kings after he parted ways with the Los Angeles Lakers immediately after the end of the regular season.

The Kings have hired Sue Ann Van Dermyden, founding partner of Sacramento law firm Van Dermyden Maddux, who is an expert on employment law with decades of experience in conducting investigations, and Jennifer Doughty, a veteran investigator and senior associate attorney at Van Dermyden Maddux. They will lead the Kings investigatory team.

The NBA's investigatory team will be led by Elizabeth Maringer, Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Integrity and Investigations. Prior to joining the NBA, Maringer served 12 years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, including three as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.

The Kings and the NBA said they take these allegations very seriously and will collaborate to conduct a complete and thorough investigation.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA

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Kings Interview Jeff Hornacek For Lead Assistant Coach Job

Apr 24, 2019 11:07 AM

Jeff Hornacek interviewed with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday about becoming the lead assistant coach of Luke Walton.

Walton and Vlade Divac met with Hornacek.

The interview was scheduled prior to sexual assault allegations against Walton surfacing.

Hornacek was fired by the New York Knicks as head coach during the 17-18 season.

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings Supporting Luke Walton For Now

Apr 24, 2019 10:54 AM

The Sacramento Kings are for now backing Luke Walton amid sexual assault allegations.

Walton was hired by the Kings shortly after the end of the regular season. The Kings fired Dave Joerger while Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways.

The Kings are working with the NBA to investigate allegations made against Walton by his former colleague at Time Warner Cable (now Spectrum SportsNet), Kelli Tennant.

“Luke Walton retained me to defend him against these baseless allegations,” Walton’s attorney, Mark Baute, wrote in a statement that was sent to The Athletic and other media outlets via email. “The accuser is an opportunist, not a victim, and her claim is not credible. We intend to prove this in a courtroom.”

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings Were Previously Unaware Of Luke Walton Allegations

Apr 23, 2019 8:04 AM

Vlade Divac had no previous knowledge of sexual assault allegations against Luke Walton before the Sacramento Kings hired him as head coach. The Kings are stunned by the allegations against Walton.

The Kings considered other candidates such as Monty Williams and Ettore Messina, but did not interview them as they zeroed in on Walton.

“We are aware of the report and are gathering additional information,” the Kings said in a statement early Monday evening. “We have no further comment at this time.”

The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors were also unaware of the allegations.

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Luke Walton Agrees To Become Head Coach Of Kings

Apr 13, 2019 6:51 PM

Luke Walton has agreed to become head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways on Friday after going 98-148 over three seasons with the franchise.

Walton had two seasons remaining on his five-year deal with the Lakers.

The Kings fired Dave Joerger as head coach this past week.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings Offer Head Coaching Job To Luke Walton

Apr 13, 2019 3:41 PM

The Sacramento Kings have offered their head coaching job to Luke Walton.

Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways on Friday.

There is confidence on both sides a deal will soon be reached.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings To Interview Luke Walton, Ettore Messina As Next Head Coach

Apr 13, 2019 1:33 AM

The Sacramento Kings will interview Luke Walton and Ettore Messina to be their next head coach after firing Dave Joerger.

Walton, who recently parted ways with the Lakers, is reportedly the front runner for the position.

The Kings will also request permission to interview Spurs assistant Ettore Messina. 

Michael Kaskey-Blomain/CBS Sports

Tags: Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kings Fire Dave Joerger As Head Coach

Apr 11, 2019 12:37 PM

The Sacramento Kings have fired Dave Joerger as head coach.

Vlade Divac was given an extension on Thursday and the authority to make a decision on the future of Joerger.

Joerger had clashed with the front office of the Kings.

Monty Williams is expected to be a target for the Kings. Sam Amick of The Athletic reports Luke Walton would be the clear frontrunner if he is fired by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Vlade Divac Agrees To Four-Year Extension With Kings Through 22-23

Apr 11, 2019 9:12 AM

The Sacramento Kings and Vlade Divac have agreed to a four-year contract extension. The deal will run through the 22-23 season.

Divac was hired by the Kings in 2015.

Divac has been given final call on whether to retain Dave Joerger, which is one of the Kings' most critical decisions this offseason.

After a shaky start to his tenure, Divac has the Kings trending upwards in the Western Conference.

Sam Amick/The Athletic

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Vlade Divac, Kings To Open Extension Talks

Apr 10, 2019 4:37 PM

The Sacramento Kings are expected to open up extension talks with Vlade Divac.

The Kings had a turnaround season in 18-19.

Divac joined the Kings' front office in 2015 and signed an extension in 2017.

Marc Stein/New York Times

Tags: Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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