Kings' late-season collapse could lead to big changes in front office

The slumping Kings were beaten in every possible way by the Orlando Magic Saturday night, falling by a score of 121-91. They committed more turnovers and fouls, let Orlando shoot nearly 50 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three-point range, while getting outrebounded and delivering 14 fewer assists.

In the last three weeks, they've fallen from 33-29 to 36-38, sitting just one game ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in spot. When the team is getting so thoroughly beaten, interim head coach Doug Christie can't feel confident about keeping his job for next season.

Nor should general manager Monte McNair. It's McNair's fifth season at the helm of the Kings, during which he oversaw their return to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years in 2023. But last year the Kings failed to advance out of the play-in, and rumors have been swirling that owner Vivek Ranadive may bring back an old employee: Vlade Divac.

It's more than Divac's increased presence. Last week, assistant GM Wes Wilcox left the Kings to become general manager of the Utah Utes. That's not a sign of confidence in his Sacramento future, even if he and McNair were rumored to have clashed.

Ranadive is simply prone to impulsive decisions. He has fired eight head coaches since taking over the team in 2013. Ranadive hired his daughter Anjali as general manager of the Kings' G-League franchise in 2023, though she resigned last fall. If Ranadive was willing to fire head coach Mike Brown just one season after he won Coach of the Year, no one in the Kings organization should feel safe.

Except perhaps Divac. Despite a dismal performance as an NBA executive, Divac appears to have Ranadive's favor. And if the Kings keep losing, he may be the most likely candidate to step in and oversee whatever the next phase of Kings basketball looks like.

When the Kings dramatically rebuilt their team after All-Star De'Aaron Fox demanded a trade, it's understandable that it would take time for the team to gel. Ranadive doesn't seem to have patience for that. Missing the play-in may guarantee heads will roll.