Kings, Monte McNair reach agreement on contract extension

It’s about time.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sacramento Kings and general manager Monte McNair have reached an agreement on a contract extension.

McNair, 38, has been the architect behind the Kings’ ascension from the Western Conference cellar to one of the best teams in the NBA thus far into what has been a wildly successful 2022-23 season.

After months of speculation surrounding if and when a deal would be reached, McNair’s expiring contract appears to be an issue of the past as owner Vivek Ranadivé seems to be locking in his front office leader for the long haul.

The length of McNair’s contract extension is three years, per The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

ESPN Sources: After orchestrating a remarkable franchise renaissance, Sacramento Kings GM Monte McNair has agreed on a contract extension. Under McNair, who was in final months of his deal, Kings are third in West and on cusp of ending a 16-year postseason absence. pic.twitter.com/6wnv6oDuHz

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2023

Sacramento is also in the process of finalizing an extension with assistant general manager Wes Wilcox, who has been McNair’s right-hand man throughout his three-year tenure as general manager.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Kings assistant coach and former player Doug Christie said of the news when speaking with Cattles & Ramie on Sactown Sports 1140 on Tuesday afternoon. “The stability…We’re beginning to have something that is sustainable. It’s a good day for Sacramento.”

Monte McNair has been through a lot since he inherited former GM Vlade Divac’s roster in the fall of 2020.

Not only has McNair drafted well in his three NBA Drafts (Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell, and Keegan Murray) and made the A+ hire of head coach Mike Brown, but he also executed one of the boldest trades in recent history by trading for two-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.

Adding in the acquisitions of guards Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, McNair has re-tooled the Kings seemingly overnight as they currently sit in first place in the Pacific Division and third in the West with a record of 27-19.

Last season, Sacramento posted a record of 30-52. Less than one year later, they have a chance at securing their 30th win before the end of January.

The Kings have franchise talents in De’Aaron Fox and Sabonis, a young core that includes Murray, Mitchell, Huerter, and Monk, and a head coach in Brown that the fanbase has fallen in love with in the fold for what many hope is the end of a North American sports record 17-year postseason drought.

Thanks to McNair pressing the right buttons, fans might not have to worry about the dreaded drought for much longer.

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