The Sacramento Kings are pinning their hopes on Scott Perry to rejuvenate their playoff dreams. Perry has been brought on board as the new general manager in a move announced Monday, shortly after the team parted ways with Monte McNair. The official announcement of Perry’s appointment marks a significant step for the franchise, which has fallen short of the playoffs after successive defeats in the play-in tournament in recent years.
Owner Vivek Ranadive endorsed Perry’s appointment, lauding his extensive experience and strategic basketball insight as key assets that align with the organization’s ambition for a winning culture. Ranadive expressed optimism at Perry’s return, emphasizing the shared vision for long-term success.
The Kings had ended an NBA-record 16-year playoff absence in the 2022-23 season, thanks to McNair’s leadership, and were hopeful of a repeat performance. However, falling short has necessitated a change in leadership, with Perry stepping in as the new custodian of basketball operations.
Perry is no stranger to Sacramento, having served as the vice president of basketball operations briefly in 2017. In a personal statement, Perry voiced his eagerness to rejoin the Kings, expressing an intent to build a strong, competitive team and enhance the organization’s stature. His career trajectory took him from Sacramento to the New York Knicks, where he initially managed the team on an interim basis and later resumed his role as GM.
With a history of over ten years in the Detroit Pistons’ front office, Perry was instrumental in assembling a formidable roster that clinched the 2004 NBA Championship and consistently reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, he faces the challenge of steering the Kings forward as the franchise’s fifth leading executive since Ranadive took the reins in 2013. During this period, the Kings have seen numerous coaching changes—nine in total, including interim positions—and have struggled, maintaining one of the lowest winning records in the league.
A priority for Perry will be to make strategic decisions regarding interim coach Doug Christie, who took over following Mike Brown’s mid-season departure, recording a 27-24 performance. Perry will also manage a roster featuring talents like Sabonis, DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk. However, his draft strategy may be complicated by a scant 3.8% chance of obtaining a top-four draft pick—a choice that otherwise defaults to the Atlanta Hawks due to prior trade agreements.