Dec 13, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive (L) and general manager Monte McNair (R) talk during warm ups before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Major Sacramento Kings Executive Joins LA Clippers

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Grant Mona | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 4:28 PM ET

Jerry West's impact was felt throughout the Clippers organization through the years. After joining the Los Angeles Clippers as a consultant in 2017, he played a key role in bringing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the team during the 2019 offseason.

West passed away on June 12, 2024, and Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer issued a statement that said West was a "confidant, an advisor and a friend."

Jerry West, the personification of basketball excellence and a friend to all who knew him, passed away peacefully this morning at the age of 86. His wife, Karen, was by his side. pic.twitter.com/iMwOXmCT2B
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 12, 2024

After a tremendous offseason in 2024, the Clippers earned the 5th seed in the Western Conference and finished with their second consecutive 50-win season. In another pivotal offseason for the Clippers in 2025, they have already been surrounded by rumors about Kevin Durant.

A new report from ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania revealed that the Clippers are adding a former Executive of the Year to their front office.

"Former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair, the 2022-23 NBA executive of the Year, is joining the Los Angeles Clippers in an advisor role," Charania said via his X account (@ShamsCharania).

Moves McNair made with the Sacramento Kings:

• Drafted Tyrese Haliburton
• Drafted Davion Mitchell
• Hired Mike Brown as HC
• Sign-and-traded for DeMar DeRozan
• Traded De’Aaron Fox for Zach LaVine https://t.co/HFoWd2zqBd
— APHoops (@APH00PS) June 16, 2025

McNair was a key figure in the front office for the Houston Rockets' eight consecutive playoff appearances, including two Western Conference Finals in the mid-2010s. In 2020, McNair was hired as the General Manager and President of Basketball Operations for the Sacramento Kings, taking over a team that had not made the playoffs since 2006.

In the 2022-2023 season, he won the NBA Executive of the Year award after constructing a 48-34 Kings team that made the playoffs, with Coach of the Year Mike Brown as his head coach.

"He didn't want [Mike Brown] fired, he didn't want [Doug Christie] to be the coach, he didn't want Doug to continue being the coach... If left to his own devices, Monte would have built the roster differently."@sam_amick with @CarmichaelDave & @JasonRoss1140 on Monte McNair: pic.twitter.com/Cf2A6bOm15
— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) April 17, 2025

During McNair's tenure with the Kings, he drafted current Indiana Pacer Tyre Haliburton and traded for Domantas Sabonis, which brought the All-Star center to Sacramento.

McNair and the Kings mutually parted ways on April 17th, 2025, after being eliminated in the Play-In Tournament. He is a graduate of Oak Park High School in Southern California.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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