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Sam Amick on Vivek Ranadivé's media silence: "I had someone text me the other day. They were trying to dig up to see if it was accurate, like the last time Vivek did a lengthy basketball-related on-record interview, and it literally might have been when I spoke to him for USA Today like a decade ago."
Jake Fischer: I think Doug Christie is probably in a very strong position to retain that role, being that the owner, Vivek Ranadivé, is very much known to be a supporter of his. He's known, generally and characteristically, to be a supporter of former players in head coaching capacities. For example, Mark Jackson was someone that Vivek wanted to hire years ago — before they even hired Mike Brown. So, I'm expecting as of now, until I hear otherwise, that Doug Christie will be retaining that chair moving forward.
Sean Cunningham: Vivek Ranadivé on hiring Scott Perry as GM of the Sacramento Kings: “Scott brings a wealth of experience, a sharp basketball mind, & a strong track record of building talented rosters. He shares our commitment to developing and sustaining a winning culture & I am excited to welcome him back to Sacramento.”
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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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.”
Kings, GM Monte McNair part ways
Sam Amick: The Kings and GM Monte McNair have mutually agreed to part ways, league sources tell @TheAthletic
If McNair and Sacramento part ways, the Houston Rockets have been mentioned as a potential landing spot. McNair worked for the Rockets from 2007-2020. Meanwhile, interim coach Doug Christie has gone 27-24 since taking over for Brown. Christie is said to be liked by Kings governor Vivek Ranadive and has support from former Kings teammate and executive Vlade Divac. Nuggets interim coach David Adelman has since guided Denver to a 3-0 record to finish the season, earned the fourth seed in the West, and has a real chance to keep the job going forward, league sources told HoopsHype. While Daryl Morey publicly stated he and coach Nick Nurse are both returning to Philadelphia next season, there’s an expectation that Nurse’s assistant coaching staff will see changes this offseason, league sources told HoopsHype.
Christie has long-standing ties to the organization, going back to being a starter on those iconic teams of the early 2000s under Adelman. Christie has done a solid job the past few months since taking over for Brown. Christie will likely get a look to remain as coach, but Ranadive has repeatedly hired big names over the past decade -- including George Karl, Dave Joerger, Luke Walton and Brown -- so there's certainly a chance he pursues a bigger name this summer.
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Domantas Sabonis expected to 'seek clarity' about Kings' offseason plan
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.”
Not long after, Brown and the Kings entered negotiation talks on a contract extension. There was a level of hesitancy from the ownership side, in part, team and league sources said, because of the opinion of Anjali Ranadivé, Vivek’s 32-year-old daughter, whose increased presence and perceived influence has been a major talking point in Kings circles for quite some time.
Matt George: Earlier today, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive made ANOTHER case for Domantas Sabonis to receive the All-Star recognition he deserves. The NBA selected Kyrie Irving instead. pic.x.com/ckrMGPUhsb
De'Aaron Fox on reports he talked to Vivek Ranadive: That's not true, I haven't talked to him
Citing unnamed sources, News 4 San Antonio’s Dusty Garza tweeted Thursday that Ranadive was flying to Oklahoma City for a sit-down dinner with Fox, adding: “I’m told he’s on a mission to convince Fox to stay in Sacramento.” Fox said that meeting never took place when asked about it following the team’s morning shootaround as the Kings prepared to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night at Paycom Center. “That wasn’t true,” Fox told The Sacramento Bee. “I haven’t talked to Vivek.”
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