New Kings general manager Monte McNair has a lot of work ahead of him, sorting out a roster that is filled with talent and potential but also plenty of question marks. Here’s the Sacramento Bee reviewing McNair’s words on De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Marvin Bagley and more:
One of the more interesting aspects of this change in leadership will be McNair’s assessment of the roster former general manager Vlade Divac assembled over the past five years. Not long ago the organization was putting up posters and billboards featuring the promising young core of Fox, Hield, Bogdanovic, Bagley and Harry Giles III.
McNair now has to look at how those pieces fit and what else the Kings will need to end the NBA’s longest active playoff drought following 14 consecutive losing seasons. He offered some initial thoughts on a few of the team’s best players during Wednesday’s news conference.
He pointed to Fox’s speed and ability to create on offense and said Bagley’s injuries are just part of the game.
“I know he’s already working hard this offseason and I’m really excited to work with Luke and see him develop,” McNair said.
One of McNair’s most interesting answers came in response to a question about Hield, who grew unhappy after being moved into a backup role last season. Social media users have noted Hield seems to be flirting with Philadelphia 76ers fans who covet him in trade rumors, but Hield possesses the one skill McNair might value most.
“I think we all know in this league spacing is of the utmost importance and Buddy is one of the absolute elite shooters in this league, and we’re going to be able to utilize that skill set as we implement our system,” McNair said.
The Kings finished 12th in the West this shortened season, finishing with a 31-41 record. Fox led the squad in scoring at 21.1 PPG, with Hield second at 19.2 PPG, Bogdanovic third at 15.1 PPG, Harrison Barnes fourth at 14.5 PPG, and Bagley, who missed most of the season, fifth at 14.2 PPG.
For now, it sounds like head coach Luke Walton’s job is safe.
