Monte McNair departs Sacramento Kings after 40–42 season and second straight play-in elimination

The Sacramento Kings ' 2024–25 season ended on a sour note in the Play-In Tournament , but there's more change on the horizon. Following two years of inconsistent performance, General Manager Monte McNair is stepping down. This change opens the door to a new era for the Kings, filled with both challenges and fresh possibilities.

Monte McNair’s departure marks the end of a key era for the Sacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings concluded their 2024–25 NBA season by losing 120–106 to Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Play-In while missing the playoffs for a consecutive two years. The decision was made to let General Manager Monte McNair pursue other opportunities as his term as leader of the team since September 2020 drew to an end.

The Kings and GM Monte McNair have mutually agreed to part ways, league sources tell @TheAthletic

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) April 17, 2025

Thanks to Monte McNair's leadership, the Kings finally broke their 16-year playoff drought in the 2022–23 season, finishing with a solid 48–34 record, which earned him the NBA Executive of the Year award. He was pivotal in hiring Mike Brown as the head coach, who led the team to that successful run. However, the following seasons didn't quite meet the mark. The 2024–25 season began with a disappointing 13–18 record, leading to Brown's firing in December 2024, even after he had recently extended his contract. Doug Christie then took over as the interim head coach.

In a mid-season shakeup, the Kings sent their long-time guard De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team trade, bringing back Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, and a bunch of draft picks. Despite these roster changes, the team ended the regular season with a 40–42 record, earning the ninth seed in the Western Conference. They faced the Dallas Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament, where Anthony Davis scored 27 points, ultimately leading to the Kings' elimination.

With McNair leaving, the Kings are entering a major transition phase. They’ll need to hire a new general manager to help shape the team's future. The latest shifts in coaching and player roles hint at a strategic change aimed at building a competitive team for the upcoming seasons.

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The Sacramento Kings enter a decisive point in their 2024–25 campaign. After the departure of Monte McNair alongside several key personnel moves the Sacramento Kings enter a new organizational period. The subsequent decisions will be fundamental for building the future direction of the Kings because rebuilding and securing playoff qualifications remain the team's primary objectives.