Sacramento Kings GM addresses Mike Brown firing, De’Aaron Fox trade; Zach LaVine says he’s ‘excited’ for debut
Zach LaVine is set to make his home-court debut in Sacramento on Wednesday. He’ll also speak at a press conference at noon.
Updated: 4:44 PM PST Feb 5, 2025
All right. Uh, welcome, everyone. Thanks for coming. Uh, obviously busy week, um, and, uh, obviously we still have some work to do, but I wanna thank, uh, Wes, Phil, Paul, our front office for, uh, for all the work. To get us here to this point, um, and, uh, obviously I want to start by thanking De’Aaron, uh, Kevin and Jordan for their contributions, uh, to us. We all know what Diarra has meant to this franchise, uh, for the last 7-8 years, um, some incredible moments. Kevin obviously also *** part of, uh, the original beam team and, and breaking the playoff drought, so wish them the best. Jordan, his time here. Uh, *** little shorter but great to get to know him. He’s gonna have ***, *** bright future in this league as well. So, uh, thank you to them. And on the flip side, we’re excited to welcome Zach and CD here. Um, I think Zach’s, you know, time in the league speaks for itself, multi-time All-Star, um, you know, just an incredible talent, shot making, you know, athleticism, and, uh, somebody who, you know, puts *** stamp on the court. So we’re excited. We’ll, we’ll obviously talk, talk more about Zach, uh, later today, I’m sure, so. Um, I think that’s it for my intro, so. Let’s go Yeah Moi, it’s been 40+ days since Mike Brown was fired, and this is the first time we’re we’re getting to talk to you. Um, what went into the decision to not hold *** press conference before today and sort of the even that playing into one of the reasons why DeAn Fox was uncomfortable moving forward, uh, because he felt he was left out in front of the to to answer some of the media questions. Yeah, so, uh, you know, I’d say at the time, obviously we were struggling as *** team, um, you know, Mike, Mike’s done some incredible things for this, this organization, and, um, you know, we all saw what he did in the past 2+ years for us. So, um, you know, I have nothing bad to say about Mike. I don’t wanna come up here and, and do that, um, you know, I respect everything he’s done at the same time we’re. Trying to turn our season around. We’re *** month out from the trade deadline, and, uh, we’ve got to figure out now with an interim coach how we’re gonna go turn this thing around. That was the primary focus, um, you know, I knew I’d come up here and speak to you guys at some point, but that was, you know, it was all hands on deck for that. And so, so far we’ve gotten ourselves back into the mix. So, um, you know, I think we obviously have some more work to do there, um. Uh, on Dern, uh, you know, I think incredible player at the same time, uh, we’ve offered multiple extensions that’s been public, um, and you know, in, in addition to public and private conversations, uh, that happened before, um, that decision on the coaching chain, so, um, you know, I think, uh, you know, I’ll speak more on that, but, um, you know, for us. Uh, it became clear that there was no pathway there for for *** long-term agreement, and so that’s also why we’re here today. Money, I, I would just like to, you know, say this, uh, I asked this question, you know, because yes, it’s been way out since December 28th since we spoke. I mean, well, you know, since the firing of Mike Brown and many of us who was in that that gym, you know, spoke to him, and then next thing you know he’s going to the airport, he gets *** message that he’s been uh. You separated, you know, from this organization, uh, as far as uh full respect, you know, due respect, why did it take so long for you to come out and just say, hey, you know, this is what we did and this is why we did it and we’re moving on. Why did it take that long? Yeah, I think I, as I just answered there, uh, we’re focused on, on the team at that point and turning the season around and, um, you know, that was, at that time, that was what we’re focused on. This some Yeah, yeah, understand, understand, you know, from where you’re coming from. Next question. Monty, was Fox consulted at all or or talked to or any of the players talked to at all about the decision to move on from Mike and do you feel that that had an impact on ultimately an agreement not being able to be made or *** separation happening between the organization and Di? Um, no, Dear, Darren had nothing to do with the decision on the coaching change. No player did. Um, and, um, you know, that was, that was the decision that, that I made that the organization, you know, as we discussed, obviously came to, but, uh, no players, no. Mike was the first winning coach here in in quite *** long time, um, and you guys understood how *** 55 game losing streak at the time of the firing. Can you just explain the timing of it, particularly after he was given an extension and, and why it seemed like he had such *** short leash. Yeah, obviously we had, I think, high expectations coming into the season, um, you know, for *** variety of reasons. Um, we did start off with, with some success, but, um, heading into December started hitting *** skid and then I think ultimately, as we’re trying to figure out ways to turn the season around, ***, *** lot of different things were discussed, but, um, you know, ultimately the 5 game losing streak at home and. Uh, and the, the Detroit loss, um, you know, the next day, um, you know, as we, as we talk through it, that was, um, you know, we, we felt we had *** season that, that could be better, and, um, you know, that was the choice we made at that time, uh, that was the thing that, um, you know, that we could push to and, you know, so far I think we’ve had some success there, but. Um, you know, those were, those were the main factors that, that were going in at the time, and, uh, you know, the higher expectations, things, things are, the more we, we expect of ourselves. Hi Marty, on the deer in front, you guys obviously make *** choice to do it now versus this summer. I just wonder from the group standpoint, when did that start to become more real and what was your calculus on, you know, that idea that do we ride this out and and see how the rest of the year goes market wise, you know, what kind of intel and information and insight can you share about, you know, doing it now versus doing it later. Yeah. I mean, really, I think any time, uh, you know, uh, ***, *** player of that caliber, you know, you get closer to the end of the contract we’ve offered extensions as we talked about, um, you know, anytime there’s *** transaction window, you know, we, we revisit like, you know, how do we handle this, and I think at this point with, you know, *** year and *** half left, we decided, um, you know. With the public and private indications we were getting that this was the time to at least explore the market. Um, you know, at the same time, I think we got, you know, ***, *** return we’re excited about, and so that’s why we pulled the trigger. Many, excuse me, Monty, during Media Day, I specifically asked you about roster balance specifically with length. You pointed to McDaniel’s and *** as two players that provided length. McDaniels, of course, did make it *** training camp. *** has had multiple DMPs, does not, isn’t getting significant minutes as you would say. Do you do you still have *** plan to address the length issues that you guys have within this roster in balance? Yeah, certainly, uh, something we’re, we’re looking to do. Uh, well, we obviously with the trade deadlines coming up, that’s one option and, uh, you know, we’ll continue to look at it going forward. Hey, uh, is there, I mean, you’ve seen obviously storylines and just narratives that are out there. Is there any kind of things that are out there that you You know, which people didn’t know or maybe might be uh *** misconception or anything about maybe the what has happened over these past few weeks and months. Uh, I would say nothing more that I haven’t addressed so far. And, and then just another one, I mean, just how unfathomable I guess in your mind is it that you know someone who mentioned the extension for Mike and then obviously wanting the extension for deer and, and then you know you’re about 67 months from some of those conversations and both of those guys are gone. I mean, is that completely something that’s uncharted territory for you in terms of what you had felt going forward at the at those times? Yeah, I mean, certainly, uh, you know, coming off the last two seasons and the decision to extend Mike, you know, we did not envision that this is how the season would go, but all we can do is, you know, continue to deal with the information we’re getting and make the best decision in each moment. Um, you know, obviously in hindsight we maybe would have done some things differently, but, um, we don’t have the benefit of hindsight at the time. Hey Moi, after moving on for Mike, what was the decision process like for figuring out who was gonna be interim and what eventually made you settle on Doug? Yeah, I think with, uh, you know, obviously we have *** lot of qualified coaches on our, on our staff, but, uh, Doug Doug in particular, his, um, you know, not just being *** former player but *** former Sacramento King, um, and his connection to us, uh, as an organization, um, and, uh, you know, I think *** lot of what we’ve seen from Doug so far is, is what we hope for and just his ability to. Um, you know, to these guys and, um, you know, give *** different perspective. So, um, he had that unique combination. I think that was ultimately the deciding factor. Monte, you guys have been playing some good basketball for the road trip, and then this deer and Fox stuff happens then were there more conversations with with Rich Paul in the in the lead up to the road trip that made you feel like, OK, we have to like pounce now and and make this deal and why was the timing now? Yeah, I don’t wanna get into maybe those private conversations. I will say that conversations have been had, you know, throughout and, and even, and even more so before, uh, you know, dating back to the summer and the early part of the, the season, um, obviously the deadline is just the time that these things end up happening and so, um, as I said with with Sam’s question, you know, it’s, it’s just each transaction window we kind of have to decide like, you know, what, what do we try to do. Um, and you know, for the first time we, we did, we did decide to explore the market there. I guess along those lines um Den has said multiple times that he wanted to retire here. He goes into the season not signing the extension, and then there’s reports that you met you and Wes met with Rich Paul and then you know the report the other *** few weeks ago that you guys were open to trading him. Just from your point of view, where do you feel like things kind of went wrong or just ended ended the way it did? Um, yeah, I think the, just the, obviously, you know, the season hasn’t gone as, as we all hoped. That’s part of it. Um, you know, at the same time, I think, you know, we, we did explore ways to, to have deer and, um, stay here and, and it was made clear that wasn’t gonna happen, so we moved on. Uh, Monte, in regards to Mike, um, was it simply just wanting *** new voice, um, or were there specific things you can share that he wasn’t doing that maybe you guys were looking for him to do? Like, what’s maybe *** little more insight into like the reason that uh you guys weren’t happy with him anymore. Yeah, I mean, ultimately, uh, I think it, it was just the, the results, you know, of the season and, um, you know, the, specifically the, the way that, um, you know, we played in that home stand, um, you know, we, we felt we needed to, To do something, um, that was, you know, one of the options that we, we had been, uh, discussing in the, in the days leading up and, you know, like I said, the, um, the way ultimately that the last couple of games that home stand went solidified that. Mon, can you say definitively whose call it was to fire Mike? Yeah man. Monty, uh, can you, within reason of what you can share with negotiations, how difficult was it with San Antonio specifically trying to work out the deal knowing that was Fox’s ideal location of where he wanted to end up trying to get as much return as you possibly could for *** player who’s obviously been the face of the franchise for so long? Yeah, I would say, you know, certainly anytime *** player of that caliber, um, you know, is, is in the market and, and, you know, also the way that it was very public. Um, yeah, it made for *** unique market, but I also think, uh, you know, our group did *** great job of, of cultivating *** market to ultimately get what we wanted in return. Uh, we were not gonna settle for less than, than we wanted. And, um, so when we got that, we made the deal. Mon, um, 2 years ago you won Executive of the year. Do you think from that moment to where we are today that you’ve done everything in your power to provide the support for whether it be Mike Brown or De’Aaron Fox on the court with players to make the same work and going forward, Zach Levine is gonna face the same issue that De’Aaron did of the length and athleticism at the wings. Is there *** way to address some of those issues now? Yeah, I would say two things, James. One is, you know, from, from where we started to where we are, you know, I think we’re, you know, we, we’ve had *** lot of success, you know, we’re, we’re in our 3rd, 3rd straight winning season. You know, after whatever it was, 1516 without at the same time, uh, yeah, we haven’t won enough for our expectations as they’ve gone up following, you know, our, our playoff year and, um, ultimately that all falls on me. And so, um, you know, I’m, I’m tasked with getting us to the playoffs and that’s what I keep trying to do. Up to you guys, how, how good that’s been. Kind of along those lines, I guess, um, this might take me *** minute to get through. Just wondering how you view this going forward. Um, you talked about not seeing *** pathway long term with, with Fox, and here you are getting, ultimately what I would imagine in your mind was the best deal that you could possibly get for him. Um. Does this feel like *** step back from the vision that you had? Um, does this feel all that removed from maybe the, the pathway that you wanted and just kinda how, how that relates to competition going forward in terms of maybe what you feel this team is capable of? Yeah, certainly not, um, not linear, how, how we’ve, you know, gotten there never is. Um, you know, I think, uh, following the 23 season, you know, we had, we had hopes that the cops could, you know, continue to ascend. Obviously, at this point we’re, we’ve, you know, gone, uh, in *** different direction at the same time. Zach is an incredible player. I think we have *** lot of talent on this team. The West is tough, but we’re competing, uh, with some of the best teams in that conference. Um, you know, on the flip side. This is one of the first times, you know, in my career that I’ve had plus first round picks, um, you know, and we got some very high value picks in return in addition to *** really good player and so that’s just going to give us more opportunities down the road to continue to improve this team, get where we want to go. Thank you.
Sacramento Kings GM addresses Mike Brown firing, De’Aaron Fox trade; Zach LaVine says he’s ‘excited’ for debut
Zach LaVine is set to make his home-court debut in Sacramento on Wednesday. He’ll also speak at a press conference at noon.
Updated: 4:44 PM PST Feb 5, 2025
Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair faced several questions involving shake-ups with the team roster and leadership while speaking with reporters for the first time since the team recently fired coach Mike Brown and traded star player De’Aaron Fox.The Kings officially announced on Monday that it sent Fox and Jordan McLaughlin to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls. The Kings also traded Kevin Huerter to Chicago. In return, the Kings acquired two-time All-Star Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three future first-round draft picks and three future second-round draft picks. Ahead of LaVine’s home-court debut against the Orlando Magic, McNair answered questions from news media, with many of them focused on Brown, the Kings’ former head coach.(Watch McNair’s full press conference in the video above.) McNair said Wednesday it was his decision to fire Brown in late December, explaining that while Brown had “done some incredible things,” the Kings were struggling at the time. Brown’s abrupt firing came after a five-game losing streak that became a sore point for many fans.The day after the fifth loss, Brown spoke to the media about how the team needed to do better. Less than an hour after Brown began speaking at the shootaround, news of his firing circulated on X.Watch the last time Brown publicly spoke as the Kings head coach belowWhen asked why McNair had not addressed letting go of Brown until Wednesday, he said “it was all hands on deck” turning the season around while with an interim coach. The Kings were 13-18 when McNair fired Brown. Heading into the game against Magic, Sacramento’s record is now 25-24.As for why Fox was traded, the general manager said the team offered him multiple extensions between public and private conversations.”It became clear that there was no pathway there for a long-term agreement,” McNair said. One reporter asked McNair if Fox and the other players were consulted about Brown’s firing and if that might have played a role in Fox’s departure from the team.| VIDEO BELOW | De’Aaron Fox reacts to Brown’s firingMcNair responded by saying no player had a decision on the coaching change.Zach LaVine speaks ahead of debut with KingsLaVine also spoke at a press conference at noon, saying he was “excited” to join the team.He described himself as a “passionate” player who wouldn’t take the opportunity with Sacramento for granted. (Watch the full press conference below.)He thanked Chicago for having spent eight years there. “You have to understand business and I’ve gotten to know that over my tenure in my career in the NBA,” he said.The Kings are hosting the Magic at 7 p.m. after a two-week road trip. LaVine said his wife would try to make it to the game despite having recently given birth to the family’s third child.Fox has averaged 25 points, 6.1 assists and five rebounds per game this season for the Kings. He’s been an All-Star and an All-NBA player, and now in his eighth season will team up with the young star Victor Wembanyama.On Monday, Fox released a statement on social media thanking fans for supporting his time in Sacramento since he first joined the team at age 19. He is now 27 years old.”I wanted to end my career here and never expected it would end this way, but I’ll always be grateful for your support,” Fox’s statement read in part. “Thank you for the love you’ve showed me and my family. Sacramento will always hold a special place in my heart.”–KCRA 3’s Lindsay Weber contributed to this story. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair faced several questions involving shake-ups with the team roster and leadership while speaking with reporters for the first time since the team recently fired coach Mike Brown and traded star player De’Aaron Fox.
The Kings officially announced on Monday that it sent Fox and Jordan McLaughlin to the San Antonio Spurs as part of a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls. The Kings also traded Kevin Huerter to Chicago.
In return, the Kings acquired two-time All-Star Zach LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three future first-round draft picks and three future second-round draft picks.
Ahead of LaVine’s home-court debut against the Orlando Magic, McNair answered questions from news media, with many of them focused on Brown, the Kings’ former head coach.
(Watch McNair’s full press conference in the video above.)
McNair said Wednesday it was his decision to fire Brown in late December, explaining that while Brown had “done some incredible things,” the Kings were struggling at the time. Brown’s abrupt firing came after a five-game losing streak that became a sore point for many fans.
The day after the fifth loss, Brown spoke to the media about how the team needed to do better. Less than an hour after Brown began speaking at the shootaround, news of his firing circulated on X.
Watch the last time Brown publicly spoke as the Kings head coach below
When asked why McNair had not addressed letting go of Brown until Wednesday, he said “it was all hands on deck” turning the season around while with an interim coach. The Kings were 13-18 when McNair fired Brown. Heading into the game against Magic, Sacramento’s record is now 25-24.
As for why Fox was traded, the general manager said the team offered him multiple extensions between public and private conversations.
“It became clear that there was no pathway there for a long-term agreement,” McNair said.
One reporter asked McNair if Fox and the other players were consulted about Brown’s firing and if that might have played a role in Fox’s departure from the team.
| VIDEO BELOW | De’Aaron Fox reacts to Brown’s firing
McNair responded by saying no player had a decision on the coaching change.
Zach LaVine speaks ahead of debut with Kings
LaVine also spoke at a press conference at noon, saying he was “excited” to join the team.
He described himself as a “passionate” player who wouldn’t take the opportunity with Sacramento for granted.
(Watch the full press conference below.)
He thanked Chicago for having spent eight years there.
“You have to understand business and I’ve gotten to know that over my tenure in my career in the NBA,” he said.
The Kings are hosting the Magic at 7 p.m. after a two-week road trip.
LaVine said his wife would try to make it to the game despite having recently given birth to the family’s third child.
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Fox has averaged 25 points, 6.1 assists and five rebounds per game this season for the Kings. He’s been an All-Star and an All-NBA player, and now in his eighth season will team up with the young star Victor Wembanyama.
On Monday, Fox released a statement on social media thanking fans for supporting his time in Sacramento since he first joined the team at age 19. He is now 27 years old.
“I wanted to end my career here and never expected it would end this way, but I’ll always be grateful for your support,” Fox’s statement read in part. “Thank you for the love you’ve showed me and my family. Sacramento will always hold a special place in my heart.”
–KCRA 3’s Lindsay Weber contributed to this story.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
