Dave Joerger might not be unemployed for long. Adrian Wojnarowski, in the same report that announced Joerger being fired as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, noted the Sacramento Kings have made him their top target.
Additionally, Wojnarowski notes there were talks between the Kings and Grizzlies about a potential trade for the head coach before Memphis ultimately fired him instead:
“The Grizzlies sidestepped what could’ve been a lengthy negotiation with Sacramento about what would’ve turned out to be a conditional second-round pick as compensation for hiring Joerger, league sources said.”
Sacramento is reportedly willing to offer Joerger a long-term deal worth up to $4 million per season, per the report.
Joerger spent three years in Memphis, leading the Grizzlies to the playoffs all three seasons. He compiled a combined record of 147-99, but his team faltered this past season with a record of 42-40.
Still, it would be unfair to point the blame at Joerger for the downturn. Thanks to an unprecedented rash of injuries, Memphis broke an NBA record for most players used in a single season.
If he is hired in Sacramento, Joerger would have quite the task in front of him to turn the franchise around.
It’s been a decade since the Kings sported a winning record. George Karl had no luck getting his message through to the young players on Sacramento’s roster, and in particular he clashed with team superstar DeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins has been rumored to be on the trade block, and he’s currently dealing with pain in his feet that he says is getting worse every year.
No doubt, the Kings and Joerger would be smart to iron out all the particulars about how the coach would deal with Cousins before he’s hired. This situation bears watching in the next few hours, days and weeks. Per Wojnarowski, “the Kings are planning to work quickly” to get him on board.