Behind the scenes of the Kings’ unforgettable 2022-23 NBA season, there was a man at the start of it all assembling a new team basically from scratch.
And after the Kings made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, he’s now getting the recognition he undeniably deserves.
Kings general manager Monte McNair was named the 2022-23 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year, the league announced Wednesday.
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McNair, who signed a multi-year contract extension in January, received 16 first-place votes, more than twice as many as the next candidate. Cleveland Cavaliers GM Koby Altman finished with seven first-place votes. McNair’s five second-place votes and three third-place votes put him at a total of 98 points. Altman had 63 total points and the next closest candidate had 20 total points.
Though the biggest moves were made in the offseason, McNair thought ahead when the Kings acquired Domantas Sabonis from the Indiana Pacers at the 2022 NBA trade deadline.
From then on, McNair knew any additions would be built off of Sabonis and star point guard De’Aaron Fox. The Kings selected Keegan Murray No. 4 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, acquired sharpshooter Kevin Huerter via trade and signed Malik Monk in free agency.
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Since stepping into the role in 2020, McNair has never been one to shy away from change. Entering the 2022-23 season, only three players from the original roster he saw two seasons prior remained: Fox, forward Harrison Barnes and center Richaun Holmes.
And perhaps the most significant change was the hiring of head coach Mike Brown who, after roughly eight months of instilling a culture based on discipline, accountability and togetherness, earned this year's Coach of the Year honor by a first-ever unanimous decision.
With all of those adjustments, the Kings went from finishing the 2021-22 season with a 30-52 record to one year later eclipsing a 48-34 record and landing in the playoff picture once again.
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Executive of the Year. Coach of the Year. Clutch Player of the Year. Rookie 3-point record. Two teammates with MVP votes. Two All-Stars. Historic offense. Playoff drought snapped.
Seems like a good start, to say the least.