NBA general managers rarely hand out concrete, detailed information regarding franchise plans. They deal with players’ agents a lot, and unsurprisingly, politics and money can lead to hidden truths or mysterious, carefully crafted messages.
It may not be a job for someone who wants to be 100% “honest” throughout their daily conversations.
Vlade Divac and Jason Williams Discuss Unfortunate Reality for NBA GMs
Former Sacramento Kings franchise icons, Jason Williams and Vlade Divac, discussed the general manager role on the “Hoopin’ N Hollerin’” podcast. Williams asked Divac whether he had any desire to return to a front office role, and the former Kings general manager gave a fairly clear answer.
“Not really … I’m glad that I did it. [It was] a great experience, a lot of things that I learned from the other side of basketball, not on the court … but probably I wouldn’t go back. It’s a lot of politics, a lot of dealing with agents, and I tried to be honest. Not too many people [are] in that business the way I like to see it,” Divac answered.
Williams responded with a blunt statement. “I almost think if you’re honest, you can’t be good at it. You almost have to be an [expletive], like a lying snake to be good at that job,” said Williams.
Divac completely agreed with the 2006 NBA champion. “I agree, JWill. That’s really tough for your health if you’re not that kind of person,” he concluded.
Talking about what it takes to be a good GM in the NBA:
“I almost think if you’re honest, you can’t be good at it. You almost have to be an asshole, like a lying snake to be good at that job” -Jason Williams
“I agree JWill” -Vlade Divac pic.twitter.com/WZJEMSo8Cd
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 23, 2026
Divac served as Sacramento’s general manager from the 2015 offseason until he stepped down in 2020. He had several highs and lows during his tenure. The Kings drafted Marvin Bagley III with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Eight years later, that selection looks poor, as Trae Young, Luka Dončić, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are just some of the lottery names who have had better careers than Bagley.
However, Divac also selected De’Aaron Fox with the No. 5 pick in 2017. Fox earned 2022-23 All-NBA honors and led Sacramento to a playoff birth for the first time since 2006. However, the Kings traded the two-time All-Star to the San Antonio Spurs two years later, before the 2025 trade deadline.
Williams and Divac spent three campaigns together as teammates in Sacramento from 1998 to 2001. They had more success when Divac was on the hardwood compared to the front office staff. The duo made the playoffs all three seasons, advancing to the second round in 2001 before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sacramento’s current general manager, Scott Perry, will try to get the franchise back on that playoff path tonight. The Kings have the No. 7 pick in the 2026 draft after they finished the 2025-26 campaign with a disastrous 22-60 record.
