Sacramento Kings: A Look at the Present and the Future

The Kings’ sale was officially approved early Tuesday, as the NBA Board of Governors unanimously voted to approve the sale. Ranadive has reportedly said he will not extend the contract of general manager Geoff Petrie. Current Warriors assistant general manager Travis Schlenk and former Warriors player and executive Chris Mullin are front runners to replace Petrie. Mitch Richmond, who is now a minority owner of the Kings has openly voiced his support for Mullin.

November 27, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie watches during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Sleep Train Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Kings 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Petrie has been one of the best things for the Kings and has remained steady during the last seven years of the Maloofs struggles. The Maloofs’ restricted spending has undoubtedly hindered Petrie and his staff, but Petrie has shown almost no fight or desire to keep his job. The famously quiet GM who has afforded the Sacramento Kings fans so many good years has almost entirely bowed out.

Keith Smart has also been reportedly been given his notice as well, but while very little has been reported about possible candidates, current Warriors assistant coach Mike Malone is said to be the frontrunner.

The only opposition to the recent news of Smart and Petrie’s departure that have any merit are the questions that surround the upcoming draft. Ranadive seems ready to put his new team in place with ample time to make an educated decision. With Ranadive wasting no time with the replacement of the Kings GM and head coach, decisions on players futures seem to be next on the agenda.