by Charlie O. Mallonee

Multiple sources are reporting that Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro is leaving the organization for a position with the Denver Nuggets. The story was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

D’Alessandro came to the Kings from the Nuggets organization where he was an assistant general manager.

D’Alessandro’s role with the Kings had been greatly diminished with the installation of Vlade Divac as vice-president of franchise and basketball operations following the debacle that ensued after the firing of Michael Malone as head coach of the Kings early in the 2014-15 season.

When Chris Mullin left for St. John’s University, many felt that D’Alessandro’s days with the Kings were numbered. Mullin and D’Alessandro shared much of the same philosophy on how the Kings should be configured and are friends from their days at St. John’s. When the team floundered after Malone’s firing, Mullin and D’Alessandro appeared to lose the ear of Kings majority owner Vivek Ranadive.

D’Alessandro was praised for the trade that brought Rudy Gay to the Kings from the Toronto Raptors. He was highly criticized for the trade of restricted free agent Isaiah Thomas to Phoenix

The Kings received a $7-million trade exception and the rights to Alex Oriakhi in exchange for Thomas in the sign-and-trade deal with the Suns. Oriakhi has yet to play in the NBA. The Suns received a first-round draft pick for Thomas when they traded him to Boston at the 2015 trade deadline.

According to the Denver Post, D’Alessandro’s duties may include some work for the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL as well. Both the Nuggets and Avalanche are owned by Stan Kroenke.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Ryan West assistant scouting director of the Lakers and Travis Schlenk assistant general manager of the Golden State Warriors are being considered for the general manager’s position. It is believed that the Kings desire someone with personnel and operations experience to assist Divac who is new to his position.