Just a week after Vlade Divac resigned as the Sacramento Kings’ general manager, the Kings could look towards the New York Knicks to fill the vacancy at the top.
Following their 14th consecutive season of missing the NBA Playoffs, the Kings are beginning their search for a new general manager. While the search is just beginning, one familiar name could already be emerging as a potential favorite.
Latest on Sacramento Kings’ GM search
Sacramento hired Divac, who played for them from 1998-’04, as its vice president of basketball operations in March 2015. Within a few months, he obtained more power in the organization and was promoted to general manager.
Under Divac’s tenure, the Kings made some of the worst moves in recent memory. In a move to clear cap space, Sacramento traded its 2019 first-round pick (No. 14 overall) to the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal also allowed the 76ers to swap the No. 5 overall pick for the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Of course, Divac’s biggest gaffe came in the 2018 NBA Draft. The NBA Draft Lottery finally went in the Kings’ favor, with the team jumping up to the No. 2 overall pick. Sacramento would use its pick on Marvin Bagley, passing on Luka Doncic.
With Divac now out of the picture, Sacramento is conducting its latest search for a general manager. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Shams Charania, Knicks GM Scott Perry has a “swell of support” from among ownership and within the organization.
For an organization that has been one of the NBA’s biggest laughingstocks, including a wild story of owner Vivek Ranadive ranting about Divac and head coach Luke Walton in group texts, this is another strange turn of events.
Scott Perry’s NBA background
Perry, who served as a college coach from 1993-2000, joined the NBA ranks in June 2000. He was hired by then Detroit Pistons president Doe Dumars as a front office executive, assisting in the building of a team that won one NBA title and two Eastern Conference titles.
Following his time in Detroit, Perry joined the Seattle SuperSonics as their assistant general manager for the 2007-’08 season and was involved in drafting Kevin Durant. He would return to the Pistons in 2008 and serve as vice president of basketball operations until 2012.
Perry would then head to Florida, joining the Orlando Magic as vice president and assistant general manager. During his time in Orlando from 2012-’16, he played a role in drafting stars Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon.
Following the 2016 season, Perry joined Sacramento’s front office as its vice president of basketball operations. He helped the team land a pre-draft workout with De’Aaron Fox, who they would select with the No. 5 pick.
Three months later, Sacramento traded Perry to the Knicks for a 2019 second-round pick and cash considerations.
After the Knicks fired team president Steve Mills in February this year, Perry stepped into the role on an interim basis. New York would later hire Leon Rose, LeBron James’ former agent, into that role. In April, the Knicks announced Perry would remain their general manager.
Perry is reportedly interested in becoming Sacramento’s general manager, per The Athletic. However, he would only return if he was given full say over the team’s basketball operations. Ironically, he would replace interim general manager Joe Dumars, who gave Perry his first NBA job.