Joe Dumars, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, is leaving the Sacramento Kings organization after three years to take a high-ranking position in the NBA office.
The league announced Monday that Dumars, a respected former player and team executive with more than 30 years of experience in the NBA, has been appointed as the league's executive vice president and head of basketball operations. Dumars will move into his new role May 9, reporting to Byron Spruell, the league's president of basketball operations.
"Joe's extensive track record of accomplishment as an NBA player and team executive and the leadership and expertise that he has demonstrated in various roles make him a natural fit to drive efforts to further enhance the game," Spruell said in a news release. "As a respected longtime member of the NBA family, Joe has developed strong relationships across the league that will set the foundation for success in his new position."
In his new role, Dumars will oversee all basketball operations matters for the NBA, including the development of playing rules and interpretations, conduct and discipline, and policies and procedures relating to the operation of games, the league said. Dumars will engage with players, coaches, team executives, officials and other key stakeholders to sustain the highest level of play and competition. He will also lead the overall talent strategy for basketball operations and reinforce a culture of inclusivity and innovation.
Dumars spent the past three seasons with the Kings. He came to the organization as an advisor, but he was named chief strategy officer in 2020. In that role, he was responsible for developing and implementing strategy across the franchise's entire portfolio of activities, including business, basketball, new ventures, entertainment and real estate.
Before coming to Sacramento, Dumars spent 15 seasons as an executive with the Detroit Pistons from 1999-2014, including 14 years as the team's president of basketball operations. During that time, the Pistons won an NBA championship (2003-04 ), made six consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference finals (2003-08) and posted seven consecutive 50-win seasons (2002-08). He was named Executive of the Year in 2002-03.
"My life has centered on the NBA for nearly 40 years, which makes the opportunity to serve the entire league incredibly exciting and rewarding," Dumars said. "I'm looking forward to using my skills and experience to collaborate with all 30 teams on ways to shape the future direction of the league and help the game continue to evolve."
