Monte McNair Steps Down as Kings General Manager After Five Seasons

📍 Sacramento, CA — April 17, 2025

Monte McNair’s tenure as general manager of the Sacramento Kings has officially come to an end after five seasons, sources told ESPN. The decision was described as mutual between McNair and the organization, signaling a significant leadership transition for a team that has rebuilt its reputation in recent years.

McNair’s Impact: From Playoff Drought to Rebirth

McNair took over the Kings in 2020 during one of the darkest stretches in franchise history. His arrival coincided with a sharp turnaround:

• Named NBA Executive of the Year in 2023

• Led Sacramento to 40+ wins in three straight seasons

• Snapped the Kings’ NBA-record 16-year playoff drought in 2023

• Improved the franchise’s win percentage from .362 (pre-2020) to .488 during his tenure

Sacramento’s resurgence under McNair transformed them from perennial bottom-dwellers into consistent playoff contenders, a feat few expected at the time of his hiring.

Timing of Departure: After Play-In Elimination

The news comes just one day after the Kings’ season ended with a 120-106 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference play-in tournament. Sacramento, the No. 9 seed, was eliminated by Dallas in the 9-10 matchup, ending a season filled with both progress and frustration.

Sources indicated that while the franchise valued McNair’s work, both sides agreed that it was time for a new direction heading into the next phase of team building.

Front Office Changes Continue

McNair’s departure follows the recent exit of assistant general manager Wes Wilcox, who left three weeks ago to become the general manager for the University of Utah’s men’s basketball program. Wilcox, like McNair, spent five seasons in Sacramento’s front office.

With both top decision-makers now gone, the Kings face a critical offseason. The next front office leadership group will inherit a roster featuring stars like De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, but major roster questions and expectations to build on recent success remain.

What’s Next for Sacramento?

The Kings are expected to begin an immediate search for a new general manager. With stability a recent hallmark of their turnaround, ownership is reportedly aiming for a hire who can sustain the momentum McNair helped build.

Meanwhile, McNair’s future remains open. Given his accolades and reputation for player evaluation and roster construction, he is expected to draw significant interest from around the NBA.