The Sacramento Kings have begun their search for a general manager and that hire will report to Vivek Ranadive directly and not to Joe Dumars, sources tell Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Dumars has no interest in being the long-term head of basketball operations and won't be a candidate in the search. Dumars will likely interview candidates alongside Ranadive. 

The Kings are expected to retain Mike Forde of Sportsology as the leader in the national search.

Scott Perry, Mark Hughes and Trent Redden have been mentioned as candidates. 

Bill Duffy has released a statement to The Athletic denying that he is a candidate for an executive job with the Sacramento Kings.

“There’s no truth to me joining an NBA organization," wrote Duffy. "I’m fully committed to my clients and their success.”

The Kings parted ways with Vlade Divac last week with Joe Dumars taking over on an interim basis. 

Duffy is a longtime agent based in the San Francisco Bay Area who has represented Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Joakim Noah, Patrick Beverley, Zach LaVine, Myles Turner and many others.

When Vlade Divac was informed by Vivek Ranadive that he was passing management authority of the Sacramento Kings to Joe Dumars, the former GM knew his time with the franchise was coming to an end.

“It’s a part of life. You have to make tough decisions,” Divac told the Sacramento Bee.

“I didn’t expect it but then I wasn’t surprised either. We didn’t accomplish what we expected this season. That’s the bottom line...That’s my responsibility.”

Divac confirmed Ranadive didn't meddle with the decisions after the first year.

“Maybe the first year when I came in, but after that he was very supportive,” Divac said. “He let me do what I wanted to do. He wanted to know what was going on. He shared his thoughts with me about decisions. But it (running the basketball operations) was all mine.”

The decision to select Marvin Bagley over Luka Doncic has been a major issue between Divac and Ranadive.

“Yeah,” Divac said.

“That was my decision,” he said. “I still believe Marvin has big upside. But I needed more time to prove it. I’m sure Marvin is going to prove everybody wrong. But in this league, you need to produce right now. People don’t have patience but I’m OK with that.”

Divac had a mixed record with the Kings in trading DeMarcus Cousins for Buddy Hield, drafting De'Aaron Fox and landing Bogdan Bogdanovic, while the Bagley over Doncic selection will almost certainly always linger.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity of being a GM,” he said. 

Divac was asked if he feels bitter.

“I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus,” he said. “You never know if another opportunity will come up for me but I’m not going to chase it. What’s far more important than having a goal is the way you act on the way to your goal. My satisfaction will come when the Kings start winning.”

Peja Stojakovic is expected to step down from his role as assistant general manager of the Sacramento Kings.

Vlade Divac stepped down on Friday after Vivek Ranadive requested he work in partnership with Joe Dumars.

Stojakovic joined the Kings' front office in 2015 and became assistant GM in 2018.

Joe Dumars will be part of the process to find a new general manager for the Sacramento Kings, sources told Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports.

Vlade Divacs stepped down from the role earlier on Friday, with Dumars gaining influence within the organization.

Vivek Ranadive reportedly wanted Dumars to work alongside Divacs in shaping the roster, to which Divacs refused.

Dumars could take the entirety of next season to evaluate potential candidates before providing his input. 

Vlade Divac had no intention of stepping down as general manager of the Sacramento Kings as he flew out of Orlando at the end of their season.

Sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that Divac had a phone conversation with Vivek Ranadive on Friday morning about the future of the front office. Ranadive suggested Joe Dumars assume a larger role and be given final say on the roster with him working side by side with Divac.

Divac had zero interest in that type of structure, sources tell The Athletic. 

Divac and Ranadive decided to take a break from the discussion and pick the talks back up later. Divac said he could conduct exit interviews and then speak again afterward.

When they talked again, Ranadive made clear he was intent on making this move and needed Divac to agree to it. Divac was firm that he wanted no part of it and that full autonomy was needed to continue taking on this passion project.

Divac will be paid the remainder of his contract though 22-23.

Vlade Divac has stepped down as general manager of the Sacramento Kings.

Joe Dumars will take over the front office on an interim basis. The Athletic reported earlier this week that Dumars had been gaining influence, particularly with Vivek Ranadive. Dumars could remain in the role long-term if he's interested.

The Kings elevated Divac to run their front office in 2015.

"This was a difficult decision, but we believe it is the best path ahead as we work to build a winning team that our loyal fans deserve," Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadivé said in a statement. "We are thankful for Vlade's leadership, commitment and hard work both on and off the court. He will always be a part of our Kings family."

While the Sacramento Kings are expected to keep Vlade Divac for the foreseeable future, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that Joe Dumars has an increased level of influence within the franchise. 

Dumars was hired by the Kings in June of 2019 and he's since become a valued voice for Vivek Ranadive.

Dumars and Ranadive were together in Orlando to watch some of the Kings' first restart games.

Dumas and Divac, however had "a synergy and trust", according to sources that spoke with Amick. Dumars is expected to have an increased role going forward.

There is no indication the Sacramento Kings will part ways with Vlade Divac or Luke Walton this offseason, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Divac signed a four-year extension in April of 2019 that lines up with Walton’s contract.

Sources say Joe Dumars has become a valued voice for Vivek Ranadive since he was hired in June 2019. Dumars and Ranadive were together in Orlando to watch the Kings from the outside-the-bubble seats. Sources say there is synergy and trust between Divac and Dumars.

The Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans were officially eliminated from playoff contention after both teams lost on Sunday.

The Rockets beat the Kings 129-112, with the Kings failing to make the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons.

The Pelicans lost to the Spurs 122-113, with Zion Williamson calling out his team's lack of energy.

"That lack of spirit in the first half really dictates the second half. If we came out better, maybe we would've had a different outcome. You just have to learn from that experience and be better," said Williamson following the loss.

The Grizzlies' 108-99 loss to the Raptors also guaranteed a play-in game for the final seed in the Western Conference.

The Grizzlies currently have a 62% chance of getting the 8th seed, according to ESPN's BPI Playoff Odds.

"I'm not worried about no play-in game right now," said Ja Morant following the loss.