Kings GM Monte McNair Faces Pressure Ahead of Play-In Tournament

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Monte McNair, general manager of the Sacramento Kings, finds himself in a precarious position as the team prepares for the upcoming NBA Play-In Tournament. After a promising 2022-23 season, where the Kings ended a 16-year playoff drought, their performance has faltered, raising questions about McNair’s future with the franchise.

The Kings, who finished the last season with a 46-36 record, have regressed significantly this year, dropping to just 40 victories and currently sitting below the .500 mark. With a decisive game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and another matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, McNair’s leadership and strategy are under scrutiny.

League sources indicate that McNair, who has been with the Kings since September 2020, is on the hot seat following a series of underwhelming results. Despite high expectations stemming from the acquisitions of six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan and two-time All-Star Zach LaVine, the team has struggled, leading to speculation about potential coaching and management changes.

The Kings’ inability to capitalize on last year’s success has been compounded by the mid-season trade of their star point guard, De'Aaron Fox, who had made it clear he did not plan to sign an extension. Alongside the trade, the exit of assistant general manager Wes Wilcox for the University of Utah has heightened concerns internally about the stability of the franchise.

If McNair is replaced after this season, former Denver Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth has emerged as a leading candidate among league insiders. Sources also suggest that if McNair is let go, he may find a familiar role with the Houston Rockets, where he previously worked for over a decade.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now,” said one source familiar with the Kings’ situation. “If they don’t find a way to secure a playoff spot, it’s likely they’ll make significant changes.”

The uncertainty extends beyond McNair. Interim head coach Doug Christie has stepped in following the termination of Mike Brown and has a record of 27-24 since taking over. While he has received backing from Kings governor Vivek Ranadive, the front office’s direction will likely influence any decisions regarding Christie’s future.

Adding to the intrigue, former Kings general manager Vlade Divac has been present around the team recently, raising speculation about a potential return to management if a change occurs—though Divac himself has not publicly expressed any intentions to reclaim a front-office role.

As the Kings prepare to embark on their playoff quest, the weight of expectation rests heavily on McNair’s shoulders. A strong showing in the upcoming games could alleviate some of the pressure, but failure to advance may signal the start of yet another overhaul in Sacramento.