The Sacramento Kings came into Wednesday night’s Play-In game against the Dallas Mavericks with everything on the line — but things didn’t go their way. Sacramento got off to a promising start, holding a slim two-point lead after the first quarter. However, the momentum quickly shifted in the second, as the Mavericks erupted for a dominant 44-19 quarter that completely turned the game around. From that point on, Dallas never looked back, cruising to a 120-106 win and ending the Kings’ season in disappointing fashion.
Monte McNair’s five-year tenure as the Kings’ general manager comes to an end after a stretch that brought both progress and frustration. McNair earned NBA Executive of the Year honors following the 2022-23 season, when he helped guide Sacramento to its first playoff appearance in 16 years—snapping the league’s longest postseason drought. Under his leadership, the Kings posted three straight 40-win seasons, something the franchise hadn’t accomplished since the early 2000s.
However, despite those strides, this year’s disappointing finish has prompted the organization to pivot. The decision to part ways with McNair signals the start of what could be sweeping changes in Sacramento’s front office and possibly on the roster as well. The Kings are clearly aiming to reshape their trajectory after failing to build on last season’s breakthrough.
Looking ahead, the Kings appear to be heading toward a significant reset. With Monte McNair out as general manager, Sacramento could also opt for a coaching change, possibly moving on from interim head coach Doug Christie and bringing in new leadership to guide the team forward.
The roster may also undergo major changes. With De’Aaron Fox already traded at the deadline, more big names could be on the move. Both DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis have been mentioned in trade rumors, and with Sacramento potentially leaning toward a full rebuild, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the front office shop one or both of them this offseason.
After a year that fell short of expectations, the Kings seem poised to hit the reset button — signaling a new era in Sacramento basketball.