The Sacramento Kings added to their ever growing trophy room for this season as GM Monte McNair was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year.
Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair has been named the 2022-23 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year, the NBA announced today.
Voting results and award history: https://t.co/zRQfKIL8mN pic.twitter.com/2lJY08g6aj
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 3, 2023
The Executive of the Year award is chosen by each team’s basketball executives and McNair finished with 16 1st place votes, five 2nd place votes and three 3rd place votes.
This is only the second time a Sacramento Kings GM has won the award; Geoff Petrie won it in both the 1998-99 and 2000-01 seasons.
McNair oversaw the Kings return to the playoffs after 16 years, with his biggest move coming at the trade deadline last season when he traded Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis. This offseason he added Kevin Huerter via trade, Malik Monk via free agency and Keegan Murray via the draft. Arguably his most important move however was hiring Coach of the Year Mike Brown. Earlier this season, McNair’s contract was extended to match Brown’s.
For McNair and company, this is a well deserved accolade but also just the start. The Kings are well positioned to maintain and grow their current success but as the playoffs showed, this isn’t a finished product just yet and there’s still much work to do.
Congratulations Monte McNair!
Well-deserved, and I am staring pointedly at those who cast the five non-first-place votes.
Ain’t it nice having someone in charge who knows what they’re doing?
Eight non-first place votes plus (perhaps) some who didn’t vote for him at all. But that’s a nit-pick. I agree that Monte seems very astute, taking that horrible roster left by Vlade and turning it into a group that plays basketball that is fun to watch—with the leadership of a terrific coaching staff.
Great job Monte! Keep it going!
You did it again, Vivek!, you genius.
Vivek accomplished all this by actually doing nothing for once!
From this:
To this:
It’s all I’ve ever wanted, all we ever needed to be good again…… no Vivek
Nice try, but we all know that Vivek wasn’t involved in any basketball decisions until this season. This award really should go to Vivek.
Congratulations, Monte! Well deserved!
I salute him the only way I know:
Congrats, Monte, and thank you!
The flap of a butterfly’s wings can cause a storm, aka the butterfly effect.
Once, in a city not so far from here (well, quite far for me, actuallyu) in a time, not so long gone, a basketball franchise was led by know-it-all owner and his faithful, but not so smart GM. It went as bad as one could imagine. Fans were disgrintled, angry or ex-fans.
But a small grroup of brave, desperate fans were unwilling to sit on their hands and see their franchise slide from purgatory into basketball hell. They had to do something, anything, to cause a change.
They started a movement for funding a billboard, to reacht the public and call out the team’s leadership. It was perhaps a naive, amateuristic and awkward attempt, and they were mocked and ridiculed by many. But a true grassroot effort and determination helped in garnering some attention and ebough money to have a billboard.
And this slick video: #HereWeBillboard – YouTube
Then the billboard company wouldn’t post the billboard, because the sports franchise’s owner was a big customer. So the billboard had to be placed elseweher. And still the movement did not give up and gfound an alternative. And the billboard was posted.
It got some attention from media outlets, and #HereWeBillboarded!
https://twitter.com/mickey_ronin/status/1285771815067910144?s=20
Not so long after that, Vlade Divac was fired and, a bit later, Monte McNair was hired (butterfly wings). And the rest, as they say, is history.
(Thanks for all who made #HereWeBillboard possible. You know who you are. This award is also a tiny bit for you.)
Man, crazy to think that was three years ago. It’s too bad the beginning of the pandemic overshadowed the billboard, but hey, at least Vlade was replaced that year (and Walton was eventually fired)!
It’s the result that mattered.
I’ve always wondered how the Kings front office/ownership group received the billboard. And that YouTube video was as Fox would say “f*ckin nice!”
I have to assume that they were not amused.
And I imagine that Vivek at that point wasn’t really involved in the decisionmaking but vowed to get much more involved right before the team became good.
Wow! That’s crazy!
You know it, man.
Look at that insane video; so slick!
So, do we get banners in G1C for all these awards?
Kings have cap room, draft picks, and a young core. I expect them to be better next year
We’re not sneaking up on anyone next year. The others will be waiting and prepared. Which is why we need to get better. I believe we will.
Well-deserved.
McNair made all the right moves last off-season: he hired a good coach (imagine that!), assisted him in getting the right staff, and surrounded his two stars with the right players. One of them a rookie that he valued more than other GMs, and two shooters/playmakers that were underutilised at previous stops.
All of these moves; the Keegan Murray pick, the Malik Monk signing (remember DDV?), and the Huerter trade, have shown to be steals in my opinion. Even the Kessler Edwards pick-up won the Kings at least one game this season.
I was rather critical of McNair before this season (Thompson trade, Bogi trade, last year’s sold 2nd round pick, lack of moves in general before the Sabonis trade), but he showed his ability this season. The award is well-deserved.
As we have seen – a franchise is only as good as ownership.
And that explains much of the playoff drought we’ve seen in Sacramento. First The Malooves, and then Vivek which morphed into Vivek/Matina/Aneel.
I don’t how it changed or why it changed – I have my suspicions that the NBA stepped in, but that is absolute conjecture on my part – but it did change. Hallelujah!
And first, Monte McNair and Wes Wilcox were given the front office and they transformed this team. But it took two seasons to undo GM Vlade and Team Ranadive.
But they did. Huzzah!
For the first time since Petrie/Adelman, the threat of having a different GM and a different coach was finally put to rest with McGenius’ extension to match that of Coach Brown.
Let “the little chap” take a victory lap – this is how franchises make playoffs and win championships.
This is the way!
&ct=g
IMWT (In McNair We Trust)
Sacramento before hiring Monte.
Really loving this parallel universe we stepped into last summer. The Kings have the COY and EOY? Incredible.
Our prayers were answered, so maybe there is a God?
good job. Slow, meticulous and there were some rumblings about his competence.
No big move at deadline.
He is helped by his helpers.
Expectations raised- want more this off season.
Well deserved. Not every move was perfect but most were.
Very deserving . Great job and a start towards consistent excellence .
Coach of the year, Executive of the year, Rookie of the year, Clutch player of the year, likely some All NBA selections, what kind of weird parallel universe are we living in and how long can it last? Hopefully through the draft, free agency and right on into training camp!
Congratulations Monte and the entire Kings organization. It’s so nice to see competence and see it being acknowledged. Especially after the moves Vlade did and didn’t do. Now go get us a new starting forward and back up shot blocking center.
Well deserved! Let’s keep the momentum going this offseason, Monte!
Also, how the hell did Sean Marks get a first place vote? No one else gave him a second or third place vote, but some nincompoop gave him a first place vote?
Tim Connelly (Minnesota) got a 3rd place vote – to me, that’s even worse.
A quick perusal: seem like Knicks and Sixers have never won the award.
Congrats Monte! Just do your thing and avoid Bleacher Report at all cost!
Maybe a Keegan (+Salary) – Bridges swap straight up would be a more worthwhile look.
Anyways, man, it’s just surreal as a long-suffering fan that the Kings are getting this much recognition. Let’s keep it rolling and on to the next.
Hell no! Also, we need a rim protector to pair with Domas, Mikal ain’t it.
Nope. After the rookie year Keegan just had, you don’t trade him for anyone less than a legit all-star/first option. Keegan is 5 years younger than Mikal and on a long term rookie deal.
If Hali netted the Kings a two time all-star in Sabonis without giving up picks, then Keegan should get equal to more value.
Well said Adam.
I am sky high on Keegan’s potential.
Agree 100%.
Just for S&G though, what do you think Keegan could/would net in a trade? I think his potential is higher than any of us could have foreseen and I would place him on my untouchables but it would be interesting to know his worth around the league.
For S&G it would take an established star to give up Keegan and picks. Short list: Brandon Ingram, Pascal Siakam, Jaylen Brown, etc. Even then it’s going to be hard to get the math to work. Hali only netted Sabonis because Indy ate Buddy’s deal. The closest thing to that today is Holmes, but he and Keegan only add up to $20M
Monteball: The Art of Winning the Unfair Game
So glad Vivek stepped up and made the right move!
January 24th, 2023:
Kings sign general manager Monte McNair to contract extension as end of playoff drought nears, per report
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kings-sign-general-manager-monte-mcnair-to-contract-extension-as-end-of-playoff-drought-nears-per-report/#:~:text=Standings-,Kings%20sign%20general%20manager%20Monte%20McNair%20to%20contract%20extension%20as,playoff%20drought%20nears%2C%20per%20report&text=The%20Sacramento%20Kings%20and%20general,according%20to%20ESPN's%20Adrian%20Wojnarowski.
Very well deserved, and I criticized this front office for moving too slowly during its first few offseasons. Clearly, I was wrong. You can’t argue with results, and they brought them and then some. Very, very nice work.
I love it when people acknowledge that they were wrong. Others, Carl, just grew silent rather than admitting that they were wrong (kingsrebuild). People’s honesty is part of what makes TKH a terrific basketball community.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was 100 percent wrong about this team because I thought we were going into another losing season. But I for one am more than happy that the players, coaches, and front office proved me wrong. In the past it was all just talking the talk, but this time they actually walked the walk.
I wasn’t wrong, I was just slightly off on the timing!
(it’s not so hard to eat crow when the whole season is so easy on the palate.)
I wasn’t wrong, but not right either. I was hopeful but not knowledgeable enough to believe I had a right to an opinion. Other people seemed more sure of themselves, and I noticed that.
It’s easy to admit lower expectations for the Sacramento Kings. In fact, it’s a given.
After all, despite Monte McNair flipping the roster script, 2021-2022 wasn’t all that promising and well, ownership (Vivek/Matina/Aneel), the folks who caused all the havoc and unrest, are still sitting the King’s throne.
This year’s success is bordering miraculous – it’s certainly risen to the level of fantasy. These Kings finished the last season with Coach Alvin Gentry and 30 wins. They had to Show Me they were better and did with this super season. Plenty of road to go, but the path looks set.
Look how far the franchise has come in such a short time. Thank you GM McNair and Coach Brown. The most promising part of the equation for me is that those two will be guiding the team for the next three seasons.
Another great, deserving, and expected award, just like COY and CPOY. Now let’s see Keegs on the all-rookie first team and our collection of off-season awards should be complete.
Let’s not forget:
All NBA 2nd Team for Fox
All NBA 3rd Team for Sabonis
Randomly, has anyone living in Europe ordered KH Merch? If so was it printed and shipped within Europe or rather from abroad and then subjected to import taxes? If so, I might have to wait for my Kangz shirt till I visit the States in the summer.
Cheers to KH staff and to forum contributors. It’s been, to quote the late great Bill Hicks, a wonderful ride.
BEAT LA and let’s see how Monte refines and addresses the emergent weaknesses of an already thrilling roster.
Are you in Florence?
Either way, that’s a fun nickname you have. 🙂
I’d say more funderburke than fun.
No, but I wish if only for the weather, the food, the style, and naturally the allusion in my screenname. I am in Berlin, where the sun has been on vacation since November 2022. That said, watching those 04:00 tip games did mean that I caught a few nice sunrises.
OT: Oh wow.
Damn.
Quick axe!
The Bucks were the best team in the League this season, in my opinion. They have the best player, or one of the best players, in Giannis. Bad 1st round loss, but this is the same coach who won them a Larry O’Brien two seasons ago.
Who do they believe will make the difference?
Second part of the question: Where will Budenholzer end up? Back at San Antonio when Pop retires?
Flip’em?
Budenholzer to Toronto
Nick Nurse to Milwaukee
Both good coaches, and surprising that they got fired. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them goes back to San Antonio.
Holy overreaction Batman!
And his brother died in a car crash during the playoffs.
Insane and so horribly insensitive.
Lost for words.
I know it is way early but I am already excited for next year.
I am also preparing myself for the possibility that someone will be traded or depart that may be unexpected. Halliburton for Sabonis was a bit of a shock, but it worked out.
Now, depending on how the front office sees the team getting to the next level, there could potentially be another surprise move that makes the team better in Monty’s eyes.
McNair has an amazing set of teeth
Super chill Monte moves this off-season:
Resign Barnes for like 12/13 mil per, playoffs really hurt his wallet and not just with us.
Resign Trey Lyles for one of the exemptions
Finally bring over Sasha
Trade Holmes and 1st round pick swaps with Houston (LAC pick) about a four’ish pick jump for us.
Draft Kris Murray
PG: Fox/Davion
SG: Huerter/Monk/Keon Ellis
SF: Ke Murray/Barnes/Kr Murray/Kessler
PF: Sasha/Barnes/Lyles
C: Sabonis/Lyles/Queta!!
Very solid 9 man rotation with 4 young guns learning.
Really hope Monte invites Zach Edey and Trayce Jackson Davis for predraft workouts. Would love to see Edey and Queta go at it (like something out of a Godzilla movie!). Curious also to see what Adama Sanogo does at the combine. I like Sabonis, I think he’s a keeper, but he needs help, even if Sasha comes over.
Badge Legend