5 Moves by Kings GM McNair that finally flipped the franchise

Moves by Kings McNair that finally flipped the Franchise: Trading for Kevin Huerter to lock up shooting

A Monte McNair move that came entering this season, McNair made a bold off-season decision that has paid dividends early already. In order to sign Kevin Huerter to a hefty contract the Kings needed to compensate the Atlanta Hawks in a trade and McNair bit the bullet as he deemed getting Huerter worth not only the money in upcoming years but also a future first-round draft pick.

The willingness to give up the first-rounder costs more than the one season the Kings won’t be making a first-round pick. Due to the protections added to it, the Kings were sacrificing years of being able to trade a first-rounder for someone else.

Not a cheap price tag McNair paid for the services of Huerter. A streaky shooter in his career, Huerter was coming off a season in which he averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

He could shoot but wasn’t doing so consistently and also wasn’t scoring or doing the other things often enough to have a key role in Atlanta. Sometimes he’d be the reason they won a game, the next time out he might go 0-5 and do little to help the team.

McNair saw what he was capable of, though. He knew if he was in the right spot he could be of great value. He also knew who he needed to pair with his franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox. That’s why McNair made the bold move to add the perfect fit next to Fox in the backcourt.