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Well, that’s definitely something that people will want to know more about. I’ve reported in the past, before you came back that Vivek played a significant part in the decision to fire Mike Brown last year, that he played a significant part in the decision to trade De’Aaron, specifically, for Zach (LaVine, who was with the Chicago Bulls, in a three-team deal). And there’s been a reality for a long time now that his involvement made things more challenging for people in the front office. So how would you characterize the way that it has functioned so far and your level of confidence that the dynamic can be healthy? Scott Perry: When I used the word autonomy, I meant that. I’m not someone — and you know me well enough — that I’m not someone who will give lip service or say something that’s not actual truth or fact. So as the fan base examines and looks at moves, they need to look at it … from the time I got here to however long I’m going to be here. I’m going to have the ultimate autonomy and authority to make what I believe are the necessary decisions to give the fan base — this fan base that’s been yearning for winning for so long — an opportunity to have that type of team to cheer for. But we’re a ways away from that now, obviously. I want them to feel comfortable and confident in my years of experience in this position, as well as a number of the members of my front office, because we do this as a collective. We will eventually get where we want to go, and people (will be) proud of the product that they see on the floor.
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
SAM AMICK: And I—you know, within that—I would note that everything old might be new again. You know, Vlade Divac has been around a lot more lately, and that’s another talking point in league circles." Host (interjecting): "Wait, wait—what? Hold on. Wait, what? I mean, we’ve seen him, but what’s the talking point? Jason? Or Jason, I’m looking at Jason—what’s the talking point, Sam?" SAM AMICK: "That—I mean, again—we’ve talked about how Vivek, a lot of his stuff is pretty transparent. You’ve got the power seat at games, and you figure out who he’s hanging out with and who he’s listening to. One night it’s Alvin Gentry, the other it’s Anjali, and the next—it’s Vlade. I mean, all I can tell you is that with Wes having headed out—and you guys know some of the machinations that happen within a team, where there’s got to be communication— For one, people seem to forget that Vlade still has a formal title with the team. I always forget what it is—it’s like, you know, 'Head of Franchise Operations' or something.
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.
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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.”
One of Hield’s Indiana teammates was being interviewed before a game against the Boston Celtics in December 2022 when Hield was overheard in the background saying Sacramento could perform a certain act on a certain part of his anatomy. Hield, who is known for his raw and unfiltered sense of humor, said his remarks don’t reflect his true feelings about the city. “I’ll always love Sacramento,” Hield said. “Sacramento is kind of where my career started. I always thank Vlade and Vivek for reaching out and giving me an opportunity to come play for the city and this organization.
One of Hield’s Indiana teammates was being interviewed before a game against the Boston Celtics in December 2022 when Hield was overheard in the background saying Sacramento could perform a certain act on a certain part of his anatomy. Hield, who is known for his raw and unfiltered sense of humor, said his remarks don’t reflect his true feelings about the city. “I’ll always love Sacramento,” Hield said. “Sacramento is kind of where my career started. I always thank Vlade and Vivek for reaching out and giving me an opportunity to come play for the city and this organization. “My comments are my comments. I can’t take them back, but when you have a mic open, friendly conversation with your friends, and a hot mic catches you, you can’t take that back. I’ve got to take that on the chin, but I love Sacramento. The fans are great. I think one of the best fan bases not only in America but in the whole basketball world.”
Mike Brown: “I didn’t really deal with Vivek a ton (during the coaching search) except for that one meeting. It was down at his house (in Atherton), which was good for me with my (Warriors) schedule because it was close to where I was. Monte and Wes were there too. The process was probably a couple weeks overall from the beginning to the end. “But it really started with Monte and Wes, and I’ll even back it up a step further. You know, Wes and I worked together in Cleveland. So I knew what Wes was about and he obviously explained to me what Monte was about and I got to know Monte over the process a little bit better. And so starting with those two guys right there, I said, ‘Hey, man, you know, I can work with these guys.’
Multiple sources told The Bee there is a sense that the dynamic has changed in Sacramento since the Kings hired current general manager Monte McNair to replace Divac in September 2020. One of the team’s minority owners said he believes McNair is calling the shots without interference. “I’ve looked people in the eye and said, ‘We know this has been a problem. Is it a problem today?’ They’re telling me it’s not,” he said. “Does Vivek have the right to approve trades or give his input? Yeah, but I don’t believe Vivek is micromanaging Monte. I believe Monte is in charge and has total control.”
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George Karl: Gentry is the right next move for Kings. Players need to play much harder for him. Vivek needs to sell the team.
Was it a hard decision selling your interest in the franchise? Shaquille O’Neal: It was very tough. Actually, heartbreaking. Trying to find loopholes around it, but couldn’t. I’ve always been one to follow the rules. The NBA’s been good to me, Adam Silver’s been good to me. I had a good conversation with Vivek, who is a brilliant businessman
“My role as interim Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations is to immediately assume General Manager duties during this transition period and assist Vivek in developing a long-term strategy for the basketball operations department,” Dumars said in a written statement provided to The Bee. “As part of that process, I will support a thorough national search for a permanent General Manager over the coming months. The search will be run by an outside firm and Vivek will have the final decision-making authority.”
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the General Manager for the Kings,” said Vlade Divac. “I want to thank Vivek for the opportunity and recognize all of the incredible colleagues who I had the great pleasure of working with during my tenure. Sacramento and the Kings will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish them all the best moving forward.”