Andrew Bogut is disappointed coach Andrew Gaze was forced to announce his pending departure from the Sydney Kings prematurely and hopes it won't affect their NBL playoff hopes.
Former Australian playing great Gaze announced he will end his three-season tenure at the end of the season.
He insisted it was a mutual decision when making the news of the split public on Tuesday, even though doubts had emerged over whether club bosses would offer him an extension.
Gaze said management had approached him mid-season, informing him they wanted to participate in a coach evaluation process.
The 54-year-old declined and decided he would finish up and return to Melbourne to spend much-needed time with his family.
Gaze insisted there was nothing "sinister" about the decision, although Bogut was irritated the mounting speculation over the coach's future had forced his hand.
"I know there was some pressure on Drewy throughout the season. There were a lot of people, unnamed sources, leaking stuff and putting pressure on," Bogut said.
"It's not ideal going into the finals but that's part of the sport.
"The club obviously wants to see what else is out there right now.
"You don't fault either side for it. I don't think it was a 'throwing things at each other' kind of split."
Veteran NBA centre Bogut, crowned the league's MVP on Sunday night, said the team would play hard for Gaze in the semi-final series against Melbourne United starting on Thursday next week.
Beyond that, he expected he and any other senior players signed for the Kings next year will have a say in the appointment of a new coach.
Accomplished Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge has emerged as an early favourite for the role, having voiced uncertainty last week over whether he will return with the Hawks and having previously been the subject of interest from the Kings.
Beveridge won a title with Perth in 2010 when current Kings guard Kevin Lisch was a key performer.
Lisch, like a number of senior Kings players, is yet to re-sign for next year.
Gaze was disappointed at an overall 42-42 record across the three seasons.
However, he was proud at the progress Sydney have made, including reaching the playoffs for the first time in six years on the back of an all-star roster headed by Bogut.
He said he had made huge strides personally after arriving as a rookie NBL coach and planned to coach again soon, not ruling out a return to the same level of the game.
A priority in Melbourne will be spending time with son Mason Gaze, who has played at state youth level and who has set his sights on earning an American college scholarship.
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