The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly hired former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair as a consultant, and sources notified ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday.
Monte McNair starts his front-end career with Rockets
McNair began his front-end career as a senior analyst in basketball operations in 2007. He was subsequently promoted to director of basketball operations in 2013, vice president of basketball operations in 2016 and assistant GM in 2018.
In more than a decade with Houston, the Kings hired McNair as general manager in 2020. Sacramento scored 195-205 (.488) during his tenure at McNair.
The Californian won NBA Executive of the Year in 2023, when the Kings ended a record 16-year playoff drought with a record 48-34.
Sources told ESPN that former Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair is NBA executive of the year for 2022-23 and is joining the Los Angeles Clippers’ advisory role.
– Shams Charania (@shamscharania) June 16, 2025
However, McNair and the Kings agreed to split up in April, shortly after the team was eliminated in the game. He was General Manager of Sacramento before being replaced by Scott Perry.
According to basketball reference, the Kings have won 40 or more games in three straight seasons under McNair. Prior to this streak, they have not won 40 games in any season since 2005-06.
Clippers’ first round of playoffs exports in three consecutive games
Meanwhile, McNair joined a Clippers who withdrew from the first round of the playoffs in three consecutive games. Los Angeles has failed to reach the Western Conference semi-finals since the 2021 playoffs.
Despite recent playoff disappointments, Los Angeles still has the flexibility of a hat that can give James Harden a salary increase, use most of its non-intermediate intermediate exceptions, and still be below the luxury tax.
Including Harden’s $36.3 million player option and first-round draft pick, the Clippers are below the $12 million tax and $20 million below the first batch of aprons. Harden and Batum ($4.9 million) must choose their contract for the next season by June 29.
Every Michael Scotto On Hoopshype, both sides are “interested in continuing their partnership”, although Harden “trends to decline” his choice.
As McNair spent several years at Harden in Houston, his joining could mean that the 11th All-Star Game will remain in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.
McNair can lure Kevin Durant to Los Angeles
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, the Clippers are also the “team” for an offseason Kevin Durant trade raffle, as they “have a contract to sign another measure to enhance Kawhi Leonard and Harden.
Every time Spotrac, the Clippers can create financial flexibility through non-guaranteed contracts from Drew Eubanks ($4.8 million) and Jordan Miller ($2.1 million).
Unless there is a second round in Los Angeles, with veteran minimums and three trade exceptions ($6.5 million, $4.2 million and $2.1 million).
If McNair can land in Durant, McNair will certainly make headlines for the Clippers.
