Kings GM Monte McNair says they’re confident in the team they’ve built
Feb 11, 2023, 1:22 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2023, 9:48 am
(Sacramento Kings)
Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair spoke to the media Friday, a day after the trade deadline, to discuss the team’s decision to support the players they have.
Topics discussed include:
- If any other moves besides the Kessler Edwards trade were considered.
- “One of the things we wanted to do was be protective of that group and so ultimately, we explored a bunch of things but none at that threshold.”
- How he wasn’t swayed to make a trade despite at movement in the Western Conference
- “The West is always tough. I’ve been in the West now for 16 seasons and this is no different. We think we’re in a really good spot, but we know we got 28 games left and we’re going to have to go and fight it out with some really good teams. But we’re also confident in the group that’s done that for 54 games.”
- Continually improving the team’s defense
- Why it’s important for a team to develop chemistry and let that chemistry gel for some time
- If there was a point in the season if he thought this Sacramento Kings team was special
- Comparing short-term to long-term goals when heading into the NBA trade deadline
- He and the rest of the front office will continue to look at way to improve the team, including with the buy-out market developing
- Having two members of the roster make the NBA All-Star game
The Sacramento Kings entered the 2022-23 season hoping to break a 16-year playoff drought. After hiring Mike Brown as the team’s new coach, the Kings drafted Keegan Murray as the number four overall pick. They continued to make moves over the summer, trading for Kevin Huerter and signing multiple free agents, including guard Malik Monk.
While Monte McNair and the team were silent at the NBA trade deadline, the Kings sits at third in the Western Conference heading into the All-Star game.
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