The results haven’t been encouraging in Scott Perry‘s first season as general manager of the Kings, but he remains focused on building “sustainable” long-term success, he said in an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
Perry, who was hired to run the team in April, discusses numerous topics in the lengthy exchange, including his approach to the upcoming trade deadline. Sacramento owns the second-worst record in the Western Conference at 8-25 and has several veteran players who could interest other teams, such as DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schröder. Perry plans to listen to offers over the next five weeks, but he hasn’t determined that certain players will definitely be moved.
“I’m always going to work the phones,” he said. “I’m always going try to figure out how we can improve the team, both short and long term, if possible. But I want to be prudent and opportunistic in doing that. I’m not somebody who does things out of panic. So, it’s got to make sense for us. So, we’ll see.
“But obviously we know we’re far from a finished product, so we’ve got to be open to getting better. And this is one of the vehicles that you have at your disposal in trying to get better. It’s seeing that there’s a trade that makes sense and fits for not only you, but it’s got to fit for the other team or teams that you’re involved with.”
Perry recognized when he took the job that it wouldn’t be easy to transform a franchise that has only made one playoff appearance since 2007. That came in 2023, and the Kings have been trending downward ever since. They’re currently on pace for the worst record in franchise history, but Perry made it clear that he’s not looking for a “quick fix” to salvage this season at the expense of the future.
“I was hired to build a sustainable winner,” he said. “So, I’m sure there’s an anomaly somewhere, but I don’t know of many quote-unquote quick fixes that turn into being sustainable. And my vision, which is shared by top to bottom ownership and everybody in the building, is to build a sustainable winner. I think that takes a little more time than quick fixes. You got to make appropriate decisions in that at least give you the best chance to lay a foundation to grow into something that’s sustainable. And so that’s what we’re at.
“… What is a quick fix? It’s probably for that season or maybe one other season. But hopefully, my goal and vision is to get to the point that once you become a playoff team you can stay there for a while. And that’s when you get your chance to sustain it.”
Perry admits he’s still in the “evaluation stage” with the franchise as he tries to decide which players to keep. Amid the losing, one positive has been the performance of the team’s rookies. Second-round pick Maxime Raynaud has been a pleasant surprise, especially since moving into the starting lineup after center Domantas Sabonis was sidelined with a meniscus injury. First-round selection Nique Clifford is getting regular rotation minutes, and Dylan Cardwell has been a valuable big man off the bench on a two-way contract.
Perry calls all three rookies “very hard workers” with “very good basketball IQs” and indicated that they’re the type of players he wants to build around.
He also discussed the decision to give Keegan Murray a five-year, $140MM rookie-scale extension in October. Murray hasn’t posted outstanding numbers during his first three-plus NBA seasons, but Perry views him as another building block for the future.
“Another tremendously hard worker, high character guy,” Perry said. “In this league, you can’t have too many 6-8, 6-9 versatile players. The guy has shot the three-point ball at a high clip since coming to the league, even though his numbers are down this year. He missed the first month of the season and is taking a little while to get his rhythm back, too. We’re matching him up with everybody on the other end, but that’s a tribute to his defensive versatility. So, here’s a guy that we put on point guards and we put on centers and all positions in between and he doesn’t flinch. He takes on those assignments. That’s invaluable.
“When you talk about build a team, he’s young, he’s 25 years old. So now we’re coming into the window of hopefully what’s going to be the prime of his career. I see him as being a very important part of establishing that sustainable winning. You need high character, versatile two-way players – as many as you can get. He was here and he liked it here and it’s been good to work with him.”
What I like about Kings is that when Bucks have a trade idea to acquire LaVine and Monk, Kings demand a first round pick from Bucks
Perry’s big test will be what he does at the trade deadline. They need to get rid of some bad contracts and start a rebuild. Sabonis should be traded but how high is his trade value right now. Might be higher in teh off season. Dropping Schroder, DeRoza, Monk, and Lavine contracts should be the priority at the trade deadline.
Sabonis to the Hawks for Risacher, Porzingis (expiring contract) and the mid 1st rounder they have via the Cavs.
the Kings can do a lot better than that trade. hawks would at least need to throw in a couple draft picks.
Trae is not a bad Idea. I wouldn’t do it for” Sabonis. Zach has the contract. If Hawks want to get out of the commitment.
Nobody wants those players. What team can any of those players help? Schroeder maybe. Your not get first. Even sabonis maybe 1pick and a swap. Not sure you could even get that. The rest Defrozon nobody wants l. Monk contract is crazy and is a low level 6th man. LaVine is a starter getting paid all NBA money. He is not even a all star at this point in his career. So just tank and trade the players for whatever. Don’t try and hold off for pick us. Just maybe just maybe you find on idiot to take one of those 3 players
the part about a draft pick is that Sabonis can not be had for 1 mid level draft pick and a throw in. Sabonis will get you more than a mid level draft pick.
Kings need to cut some payroll. Lavine is the hardest to trade and he should be bought out by teh Kings. Derozan you might get players with expiring contracts. Monk is another juts get expiring contracts. the whole entire roster is very bad.
The only way for them to get out of this mess is to deal Sabonis while he still has lots of value.
Sabonis does not like Draymond
I’d love to send Draymond from Golden States to Michigan State, which he grows up there
Perfect match
Why do you want to destroy the Warriors franchise?
nah
Warriors get Sabonis and Ellis
Kings get Kuminga, Harris, and Warriors 2030 unprotected First
Pistons get Draymond
filler if needed
Why Kings want this deal?
Save $60 million next two years to sign free agents
Sabonis doesn’t play defense. The Warriors don’t need another guard. And why would they want to give up a 1st? Doesn’t help the Warriors one bit.
Ellis is salary matching
I want to trade Moody and Hield now
You need an unprotected First to compete
Sabonis doesn’t play defense and they don’t want to give up a 1st. So, no reason for them to make the trade.
Why do y’all keep suggesting they trade Draymond? It’s not happening
I have no faith in the kings owners because so far they acted like they do not want to rebuild but go all in.
We can’t have too many 6-8, 6-9 wings, but yet all he signs is Guards. The first post stated He wants 1st Round Picks, except no one is going to give you a first for a 36 yr old Guard or players that don’t play defense !! He’s obsessed with Kuminga, and the Warriors are NOT going to trade him to us, period. It’s time to move on from him, and W H Y do we HAVE to wait til the Trade Deadline to make a move ?? Do it now, Not Wait !!
Sillyvan has to be an AI
I been here longer ……. Even Sillyman has more sense than you ……
Monk, Derozan, Lavine, Ellis all have contracts ending in 1-2 years they need to find teams willing to give up picks. Ellis is the only one they must trade by deadline because he will be gone in FA for MLE. If they don’t have him in future plans then get multiple 2nds or late 1st from contending team.
For Bucks to get Lavine they have to send Kuzma and Portis to match the Bucks have to include a 1st as they have longer contracts.
Derozan is 36 doubt he retires with 1 year left. Maybe some vet heavy team will want him.
Monk they tried to get rid of and couldn’t.
Devin Carter is another guy they need to try and move if they don’t give him minutes over Russ and Dennis.
Pretty spot on. But at this point why even move Levine if you need to attach a pick. He will help you tank.
Nobody wants DeRozan (he is a bench player) like Carmelo he will never win a championship because he vaules himself over the team.
Your right about monk. Contract is crazy 21 million for a inconcestent 6th man.
If Perry really wants to build a “sustainable ” winner, how is he going to convince Ranadive to give him tbe many years it will take. Or does he have a plan to convince Ranadive to sell???
The point of making trades. Is both teams want something. Sabonis is one of best bigs of his generation. And still highly productive. LaVine has an expiring contract next yr. So they aren’t giving him away. DeM is a future HOFer who still got game. With an expiring contract. Kings aren’t desperate folks …
Quickley,Poetl, Agbaji and a first for Sabonis.
If Perry wants to build a sustainable winner…
Well, he’s never done that before.
Im sure he WANTS to.
No one is going to give up 1st rnd Picks for over the Hill players; Over Paid Players and Players that Refuse to Play defense !! End of Story !!
Wish in one hand…