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Report: Joerger's handling of Bagley's minutes could lead to Kings dismissal

Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Sacramento Kings are concerned about how head coach Dave Joerger is handling first-round draft pick Marvin Bagley III, and it could ultimately lead to the coach's firing, sources told Yahoo's Chris Haynes.

Bagley, the No. 2 pick in June's draft, was averaging 22 minutes per game going into Saturday and has yet to start a contest. The Kings have been one of the early surprises of the NBA season, with veteran Nemanja Bjelica starting at Bagley's power forward spot.

Team management is unhappy with how Joerger is distributing minutes among the Kings' young prospects, Haynes reports - even though sophomore point guard De'Aaron Fox leads the team in minutes, scoring, and assists.

However, Kings general manager Vlade Divac denied the report Saturday night. "Dave has our full support and confidence," he said in a statement, according to NBC's James Ham. "We continue to work together to develop our young core and compete."

Joerger, well-respected around the league as a player's coach, is in his third season in Sacramento. Including himself, the Kings have had six head coaches since 2011.

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