Report: Kings reach agreement with Dave Joerger to become head coach
The Sacramento Kings have reached a deal in principle to hire Dave Joerger as head coach, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
The deal spans three years for $12 million, with a $4-million team option for a fourth. Joerger will likely recruit Grizzlies assistant Elston Turner and former Toronto Raptors assistant Bill Bayno to his staff.
Joerger was fired by the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday for seeking permission to discuss the Kings' vacancy. Sacramento had considered roughly two dozen candidates in its coaching search, but immediately turned its focus to Joerger once he was let go.
In three seasons with Memphis, Joerger amassed a record of 147-99 while making three playoff runs. His teams played slow, dominated the paint, and were always strong defensively.
Joerger won 50 and 55 games in previous seasons, but the 2015-16 campaign was likely his best. He took a tattered roster (with an NBA record 28 different players) rocked by major injuries to the postseason - something Sacramento hasn't managed since 2006.
His vastly overmatched Grizzlies eventually got mauled by the San Antonio Spurs in four games, but Joerger still gave his broken roster a tearful tribute.
Having coached the likes of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, Joerger should have no problems adapting to the Kings' roster, which is centered around DeMarcus Cousins. Getting along with the mercurial big man, however, has proven to be difficult.
Joerger becomes the 10th Kings head coach since 2006. His predecessor George Karl was dismissed after 14 months at the helm.