Rumors

Shams Charania: Former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair, the 2022-23 NBA executive of the Year, is joining the Los Angeles Clippers in an advisor role, sources tell ESPN.

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But by the time 2022 came, when then-general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox were looking for ways to turn their middling team into a playoff contender, Fox’s market value had plummeted to the point where Haliburton became the focal point of their rebuilding efforts. League sources say the Kings explored trades involving Fox, who had recently signed a five-year, $160 million deal, but simply didn’t find a suitable return. The discussions with the Pacers, league sources say, were two-pronged but quickly turned from Fox to Haliburton when it was clear that was the only real avenue to a deal. In turn, with first-year Indiana coach Rick Carlisle on the lookout for a point guard who could push the pace and help them return to contention, the Pacers sent All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday and a 2027 second-round pick to the Kings in exchange for Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson.

New York Times

But by the time 2022 came, when then-general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox were looking for ways to turn their middling team into a playoff contender, De'Aaron Fox’s market value had plummeted to the point where Tyrese Haliburton became the focal point of their rebuilding efforts. League sources say the Kings explored trades involving Fox, who had recently signed a five-year, $160 million deal, but simply didn’t find a suitable return.

New York Times

Two other candidates who interviewed with Atlanta this week, according to league sources, to replace the ousted Landry Fields: Former Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth and former Kings general manager Monte McNair.

marcstein.substack.com

Zach Klein: per multiple NBA league sources… the Atlanta Hawks are casting a very wide net in their search for a team president. One name is very familiar to Hawks fans…. former GM Danny Ferry. Ferry will interview for the job along with Monte McNair, Calvin Booth, Shareef Abur-Rahim and ⁠Elton Brand among others

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Frankie Cartoscelli: Keegan Murray says it's been a "whirlwind" of a season, but says he's thankful that Monte McNair selected him with the 4th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. "You just have to move on. I'm glad Monte took a chance on me when he drafted me."

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James Ham: Domantas Sabonis said he loves it in Sacramento and wants to stay. He also wants to know what the direction of the franchise is. He also said he was not consulted on the decision to part ways with Monte McNair.

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Monte McNair: Five years ago, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ll always be grateful to Vivek and the entire Kings organization for taking a chance on me. The Beam Team brought so much joy to so many. Thank you to the players, coaches, and staff who played such a vital role in creating those special moments and memories. To the Sacramento community—thank you for welcoming and embracing me and my family. We arrived as a family of four and leave as a family of six. As a California kid, this truly felt like a dream homecoming. To Kings fans—you’re simply the best. I’ll never forget the deafening roar before Game 1 or the countless other unforgettable moments we shared. There will be many more beams in the Kings’ future. LTB, Monte

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James Ham: Kings make Monte McNair’s departure official

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Sean Cunningham: Statement from Kings owner & chairman Vivek Ranadive: “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 & his family all the best in their future endeavors.”

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Appearing to lose decision-making power within the franchise, McNair agreed to the departure. League sources say McNair, who spent 13 years in Houston before joining the Kings, could return to the Rockets in a front office role with general manager, and close friend and former co-worker, Rafael Stone. He also has close ties and possible prospects in Philadelphia, where former Rockets president of basketball operations Daryl Morey runs the Sixers front office.

New York Times

Sam Amick: The Kings and GM Monte McNair have mutually agreed to part ways, league sources tell @TheAthletic

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Heading into the Play-In Tournament, Sacramento Kings executive Monte McNair is on the hot seat, league sources told HoopsHype. During the season, Sacramento lost assistant coach Luke Loucks, who became Florida State’s head coach, and former assistant general manager Wes Wilcox recently left to join the University of Utah men’s basketball program as general manager, which signaled alarms around the league that more changes could be coming for the Kings. Should McNair’s tenure in Sacramento end, many in league circles have pointed to former Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth as a potential candidate to monitor.

HoopsHype

League sources said Sabonis, who has three more seasons and a combined $140.3 million left on his current deal, is expected to seek clarity about the organization’s plan in the offseason. Just as Fox wanted to know whose voice mattered most on key decisions, and who the team’s owner might be trusting the most as counsel, Sabonis is known to have similar questions. Even with the recent success, league sources said several members of the team’s core are watching and wondering where this is all headed. “What is the vision here?” one league source close to a core Kings player said. “It feels like it could be headed toward chaos.”

New York Times