According to reports from The Athletic, the Sacramento Kings and General Manager Monte McNair have mutually agreed to part ways. McNair, who joined the Kings in 2020 after working with the Houston Rockets, departs shortly after Sacramento`s season concluded with a Play-In Tournament defeat at home against the Dallas Mavericks, with a score of 120-106. ESPN reported on Thursday that Scott Perry is expected to succeed McNair as GM.
Perry`s previous role was as the Knicks` GM from 2017 to 2023. His extensive executive career began with the Pistons in 2000 under Joe Dumars. Perry also held executive positions with the SuperSonics and Magic. Interestingly, Perry was initially hired by the Kings in 2017 but left after three months to take the Knicks position.
The McNair era marked the most successful period for the Kings since their long playoff drought began in 2006. Upon his arrival, McNair quickly influenced the team by drafting Tyrese Haliburton and subsequently trading him for Domantas Sabonis at the 2022 trade deadline. This trade was instrumental in the Kings reaching the playoffs in 2023, their first appearance since 2006.
However, the team`s performance began to decline afterward. While the Kings` win total slightly decreased from 48 wins in 2023 to 46 in 2024, the Western Conference`s increased competitiveness resulted in a drop from a No. 3 seed to a No. 9 seed. Their season ended with elimination in the Play-In Tournament. Contract negotiations with coach Mike Brown also became strained before he eventually signed an extension.
Later, Brown was let go after a 13-18 start to the season. Despite the acquisition of DeMar DeRozan during the summer under McNair, the team did not improve under interim coach Doug Christie. Subsequently, De`Aaron Fox reportedly requested a trade to San Antonio. The Kings finished the regular season ninth in the Western Conference with a 40–42 record, culminating in their Play-In Tournament elimination by Dallas.
Recent reports suggest that figures like Vlade Divac, a former Kings general manager with a less than stellar reputation, and Jeremy Lamb, a former player linked to the team owner`s family, gained influence as McNair`s tenure progressed. It remains uncertain whether the Kings will seek a new top executive from outside the organization or promote from within. Regardless, McNair, who was recognized as the 2023 Executive of the Year, will not be leading the team moving forward.
Jasper Hawthorne