Divac retires; accepts front office position

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak announced that Divac has accepted a front office position with the team. His role will include several duties, but his main focus will be as a liaison and scout in Europe.

"Vlade enjoyed an excellent career in the NBA and was one of the most popular players we’ve had, both with the fans and with team management," said Kupchak. "His playing style was defined by his wittiness and creativity on the court and we think those talents will benefit him in his new off-court career as well."

Divac spent the 2004-05 campaign in his second stint with the Lakers, but missed much of the season due to a herniated disc in his back. In only 15 games, he averaged 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds.

A former first-round pick of the Lakers in the 1989 draft (26th overall), Divac has averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.46 blocks in 1,119 career games.

Divac ended his career as one of only three players in NBA history to surpass 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,500 blocked shots.

Divac spent the first seven years of his career in Hollywood before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in the deal that sent Kobe Bryant to Los Angeles. After two seasons with the Hornets (1996-98), Divac signed as a free agent with Sacramento, where he stayed for the next six campaigns. Divac then signed with the Lakers prior to last season to finish out his career.

A 2001 All-Star, Divac led Yugoslavia (now Serbia-Montenegro) to a gold medal at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis. He also earned silver medals with Yugoslavia at the 1988 and 1996 Olympic games.