Kings, GM Monte McNair part ways after play-in loss

The Sacramento Kings and general manager Monte McNair mutually agreed to part ways after the team's play-in loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

Team owner Vivek Ranadive said in a statement on Thursday, "I want to sincerely thank Monte for his leadership and the invaluable contributions he made during his time in Sacramento. He helped build a strong foundation for continued success here, and we wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors."

According to multiple media reports, the Kings are finalizing a deal to fill the vacancy with Scott Perry, who was GM of the New York Knicks from 2017-23. Perry was Sacramento's vice president of basketball operations in 2017.

McNair just completed his fifth season in the role. He was named the NBA's Executive of the Year after Sacramento ended a league-record 16-year playoff drought in 2022-23.

Ninth-seeded Sacramento's season ended Wednesday night with a 120-106 home loss to 10th-seeded Dallas. The Kings finished 40-42 in the regular season and missed the playoffs for the 18th time in the last 19 seasons.

McNair reportedly lost decision-making power in the organization, which fired head coach Mike Brown after 31 games this season and made waves with a series of significant roster moves. Sacramento signed DeMar DeRozan as a free agent in July and at the deadline traded De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs and acquired Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls.

The Kings compiled a .488 winning percentage in five seasons under McNair, compared to a .362 clip during the five previous campaigns.

McNair worked in the Houston Rockets' front office for 13 years before being hired as the Kings' GM and president of basketball operations in September 2020.

Perry, 61, began his NBA front office career with the Detroit Pistons in 2000. He was the assistant GM for the then-Seattle SuperSonics in 2007-08, the vice president of basketball operations from 2008-12 for the Pistons and an assistant GM and VP for the Orlando Magic from 2012-17.

--Field Level Media