New Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry addressed his previous comments about star player Zach LaVine during his introductory press conference at Golden 1 Center.
“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to Zach,” Perry told reporters. “I’ve known him for a while, even before I took this job. Back when he was at UCLA and coming into the league, I scouted him and followed him closely—he’s a tremendous talent, athletic, and a career 40-percent 3-point shooter. We had a great conversation. My role now is to surround him, and others, with the right pieces to help him start winning.”
Perry added, “That’s what my earlier comments were about—they were a reflection on the fact that he hasn’t had much team success yet. It’s not personal.”
Perry, who is Sacramento’s fifth general manager in 12 years, was referring to a November 2023 clip in which he expressed doubts about Zach LaVine’s ability to contribute to winning. In an appearance on “The Hoops Genius Podcast” with Mo Mooncey and BJ Armstrong, Perry questioned whether LaVine was worth his hefty contracts.
“No doubt Zach LaVine can score,” Perry said. “But does he really impact winning? He’s been to just one playoff series in nine years and has only played four playoff games. I’m looking at contracts worth $40, $43, $46, and $49 million for a player who, so far, hasn’t delivered on the level of winning his salary suggests he should.”
LaVine has earned $209.62 million over his 11-year NBA career with three different teams — the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, and now the Kings. His lone playoff win came in 2022, when the Bulls were eliminated in five games by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
LaVine’s stats are solid, averaging 22.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds over 32 regular-season games with Sacramento, while shooting 44.6% from three. However, the Kings were unable to make it past the NBA play-in tournament, which brings Perry’s earlier comments about LaVine back into focus.
Perry, a seasoned NBA executive with experience at the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, is known for giving his players tough love.
“What I enjoy in my relationships with players – and why so many reach out to me – is that they know, ‘He might not always agree with me, but he’s going to be honest,’” Perry told reporters. “They understand I’ll provide radical candor, but it’s always coming from a place of radical love.”
While Perry’s comments about LaVine may be old news, they could offer a glimpse into the leadership style Kings fans can expect from their new general manager.