The Kings have been attached to almost every big name trade you can imagine over the last two-plus seasons and this trade season is no different. Teams have been chasing Rudy Gay, Marco Belinelli and Ben McLemore for a while, but the Kings have always contended that they were buyers and not sellers.
Late Wednesday night, rumors broke that the Kings have engaged the Chicago Bulls in a potential deal for All-Star Pau Gasol. But before the news broke, Divac was very clear that he saw his team making a move before Thursday’s 12pm PST deadline.
“I expected it today, but it didn’t happen, so I expect it tomorrow, we’ll see,” Divac said.
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SIGN UP HERE The Kings appear poised to make additions. By all accounts, they are still focused on the playoff race, despite being some 4.5 games out with 29 games remaining.
[HAM: Sources: Kings getting calls for four key players]
Rumors were floated over the weekend that the Kings would look to add an experienced general manager over the summer, but Divac shot down that notion.
“I’m GM,” Divac said. “It’s rumors. Like team, like coaches, like front office, we always try to improve. We’re going to see what we’re going to do, but I’m GM.”
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When pressed if Divac needed help, he said, “I always need help, want to help?”
The local media went at the first-year exec pretty hard and he answered questions as he always does, with a charm and even a little humor.
“I’m going to trade Vlade and Peja for some veteran guys,” Divac responded when asked who he was going to trade.
When asked if he was overwhelmed with the situation in Sacramento, the 7-foot Serb took the question in stride like he has when rumors have popped up in the past.
“Not at all,” Divac said. “I like to work, I like to spend time on the basketball court and talking to people with basketball minds. It was exciting for me the last month or so with this whole trade deadline and how people think - try to take advantage sometimes. But it’s a challenge in a positive way and I’m going to do my best to improve this team.”
With just hours remaining before trade calls must be made to the league, Divac is working the phones hard hoping to improve his team.