The Sacramento Kings and general manager Monte McNair have mutually agreed to part ways, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick. McNair joined the Kings in 2020, having previously worked for the Houston Rockets under Daryl Morey.

The news surfaced shortly after the season ended with a 120-106 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament.

Overview of McNair’s Tenure

The McNair era represented the most successful period for the Kings since their notorious 16-year playoff drought began in 2006. Once McNair took the helm, he made significant decisions, such as drafting Tyrese Haliburton and trading him for Domantas Sabonis at the 2022 trade deadline, which paved the way for the Kings to reach the postseason in 2023, breaking a long-standing playoff absence.

However, the team’s performance slipped from 48 wins in 2023 to 46 in 2024, which resulted in a fall from a No. 3 seed to a No. 9 seed. After a disappointing exit from the Play-In Tournament, McNair faced internal criticism. One significant voice in the organization was Vlade Divac, former general manager, alongside Jeremy Lamb, whose connections to the owner influenced decision-making.

It remains uncertain whether the Kings will seek new leadership from outside the organization or promote someone internally, but for now, McNair’s time as the 2023 Executive of the Year has concluded.