Monte McNair bids farewell to Sacramento: ‘Thank you for embracing me’
Former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair took to social media to thank the team and its fans following his recent departure.
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Former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair took to social media to thank the team and its fans for “the opportunity of a lifetime.”
McNair, who parted ways with Sacramento last week, thanked players, coaches, staff, and fans for creating “special moments and memories” during his five seasons with the Kings–with the 2022-23 season ending an NBA-record 16-season Playoff drought.
“To Kings fans—you’re simply the best,” McNair shared in a post that was published to X/Twitter. “I’ll never forget the deafening roar before Game 1 or the countless other unforgettable moments we shared.”
Sacramento has already filled McNair’s role by hiring longtime NBA executive Scott Perry just hours following the news of McNair’s departure.
More on former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair
The Kings parted ways with general manager Monte McNair less than one hour following Sacramento’s season-ending loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
McNair, the 2022-23 NBA Executive of the Year award winner, had one season left on his contract, but questions were raised about his future in recent weeks following the departure of assistant general manager Wes Wilcox, who accepted a position at the University of Utah earlier this month.
Over five seasons with the Sacramento Kings, McNair posted a record of 195-205 (.488) while securing the franchise’s first NBA Playoff appearance since the 2005-06 season.
“I want to sincerely thank Monte for his leadership and the invaluable contributions he made during his time in Sacramento,” said Sacramento Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadivé on Thursday in a release issued by the team. “He helped build a strong foundation for continued success here, and we wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors.”
More Kings content from Sactown Sports
A key point in the Sacramento Kings 2024-25 NBA season was their decision to trade franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox in a three-way deal that sent Chicago’s Zach LaVine to California’s capital as the primary return.
While a play-in exit was certainly not what LaVine or the Kings had in mind at the time of the move, the dynamic 6’5 scoring guard only pariticapted in 32 games for the Kings and ten with Domantas Sabonis.
Plenty of questions exist surrounding the organization’s future — as Scott Perry has been announced as replacing former general manager Monte McNair — but LaVine expressed his gratitude and contentment with the Kings during Thursday’s exit interivews.
“This city loves basketball. I’ve known that for a long time growing up in Seattle,” he said.
“Sacramento fans are some of the best that at least I’ve seen since I’ve been here and how devoted they are and, as players, especially in teh situation I’m in, you want to give them what they deserve and the product that they deserve. So, something that I’m looking forward to and going into the offseason… but we want to go out there and compete and be ready.”
Read more below:
Upcoming schedule for the Sacramento Kings
- Sunday, April 20th – Start of the NBA Playoffs
- Monday, May 12th – NBA Draft Lottery
- Wednesday, June 25th – 2025 NBA Draft
- Monday, June 30th – NBA free agent negotiations can begin
- Sunday, July 6th – NBA free agents can officially sign with teams
- July 10th-20th – Las Vegas NBA Summer League
- August TBD – Release of 2025-26 regular season schedule
- September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season
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