The Sacramento Kings have officially parted ways with general manager Monte McNair, a decision made just hours after the team's disappointing season concluded with a 120-106 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA's play-in tournament. The announcement marks a significant shift for the franchise, which had only two years earlier celebrated McNair's leadership in breaking the longest playoff drought in NBA history.
McNair's departure comes after a tumultuous season for the Kings, who finished with a 40-42 record and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The Kings had previously achieved a record of 48-34 in the 2022-23 season, earning a third-place finish in the Western Conference and ending a 16-year playoff drought. However, the team's trajectory turned downward, leading to the dismissal of head coach Mike Brown in December 2024 and a series of trades that reshaped the roster.
During his five seasons with the Kings, McNair compiled a record of 195-205, securing the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2023. His tenure was marked by pivotal trades, including the acquisition of star center Domantas Sabonis from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton. Despite these moves, the Kings struggled to build on their previous successes, leading to questions about the direction of the franchise.
After a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season, the Kings fired Brown following a five-game losing streak, prompting the promotion of assistant coach Doug Christie to interim head coach. Under Christie, the team managed a respectable 27-24 record, but it was not enough to overcome the earlier struggles, culminating in the loss to the Mavericks.
McNair's exit was reportedly a mutual decision made during a meeting with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive shortly after the season-ending defeat. This change marks the first time the Kings will seek a new general manager since McNair's hiring in 2020. The organization is now tasked with finding a new leader to guide them through a critical offseason filled with uncertainty.
As the Kings look to the future, they face several pressing questions. The new general manager will need to evaluate the status of interim coach Doug Christie, who expressed his desire to remain with the team, stating, "This is where I want to be. I need to finish what I started." Additionally, the Kings must navigate a roster that includes key players like All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis and future Hall of Famer DeMar DeRozan, both of whom are expected to meet with the organization to discuss their futures.
One significant challenge for the new general manager will be the contract situation of Zach LaVine, who was acquired in a trade earlier this season. LaVine's hefty two-year, $96 million contract could complicate efforts to retool the roster. The Kings also owe their first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks as part of the Kevin Huerter trade, further limiting their options in the upcoming draft.
Upcoming events for the Kings include the start of the NBA playoffs on April 20, 2025, and the NBA Draft Lottery on May 12, 2025. The franchise will need to act quickly to solidify its leadership and direction heading into what promises to be a pivotal summer.
As the Kings embark on this new chapter, the focus will be on rebuilding and reestablishing themselves as contenders in the Western Conference. With the right leadership and strategic moves, Sacramento hopes to regain its footing and return to the playoffs in the near future.
