Scott Perry

Nikki Nicholson

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings have acquired a future second round draft pick and cash considerations from the New York Knicks in exchange for the release of Executive Vice President Scott Perry, General Manager Vlade Divac announced today.

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Kings Acquire Future Second Round Draft Pick and Cash Considerations in Trade with Knicks

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, Sacramento Kings Executive Vice President Scott Perry released the following statement announcing his departure.

“The Kings are forging a strong future for themselves, and while this was a tough decision, I could not pass up a promotion to become the General Manager of the New York Knicks and chance to be near my daughter in New York. I am so thankful to Vivek, Vlade, the leadership team, and the entire Kings organization for my time in Sacramento. The Kings are a hard-working team with a lot of heart and I have no doubt they are on a path to enormous success. I wish them all the luck in the world, but I have a feeling they won’t need it.”

Sacramento Kings General Manager Vlade Divac released the following statement on Perry’s departure.

“We thank Scott for his time with the Kings and wish him the best of luck in his promotion to General Manager of the New York Knicks. The Kings are on a bright path ahead and I am very confident in the future of our hard-working, talented team.”

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Statements on Departure of Sacramento Kings Executive Vice President Scott Perry

Colton Gordon

In his first offseason with the Kings, Sacramento's EVP of Basketball Operations Scott Perry has worked tirelessly with Vlade Divac and the front office to prepare for Thursday’s NBA Draft.

Hosting nearly 70 athletes throughout the pre-Draft process, Perry and staff evaluated athletes on-court skills and off-court personas, finding plenty to like about the Draft hopefuls.

“We really were impressed with a lot of the guys - not only with how they worked - but how they represented themselves as young men,” Perry said. "There was a lot of quality young men that came in here and, comparing it to other years, I really liked how things settled in here and ran.”

While the Kings front office staff gleaned many insights, prospective players got a chance to familiarize themselves with the team as well.

“They learned a lot about us and what we’re trying to accomplish here in Sacramento,” concluded Perry.

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Perry Voices Excitement as Draft Nears

Kyle Ramos

Although Scott Perry joined the Kings front office staff just last month, the longtime executive has already been seeking ways to make a noticeable impact across the organization.

Perry joined Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski on The Vertical podcast, discussing working with the Kings, the upcoming NBA Draft and much more.

When first arriving in Sactown, the Kings Executive VP of Basketball Operations noted that he had one approach in particular that he used to form a bond with those around him.

“The very first, and the most important thing for me, when I walk in the door, is that I want to learn everybody’s story,” Perry said. “So what I did was I set up individual times with everybody who was in town. From coaches to other front office members to equipment managers to trainers. I wanted to spend 20 to 30 minutes with each of those people, one on one, to hear their story, learn about them as people, get their insight and learn more about their perspective and their jobs."

By doing so, Perry said that this allowed him to also share his “philosophy, [his] perspective and how [he] was going to come in and help move this franchise along.”

Additionally, the NBA front office veteran expressed his thoughts on working with other executives and how that eventually culminated in him joining the staff.

“I found that their ideas and their vision kind of fit with my personality,” said Perry. “I thought if we could all come together and start to share our knowledge and the willingness to work together and move forward together, that was what really sold me on the opportunity.”

In regards to this month’s NBA Draft, Perry discussed the great opportunity at hand for the Kings to further bolster their roster.

“We’re at the center of the Draft universe because of those picks,” Perry said. “It’s a great opportunity. It’s one that we’re all going to embrace.”

Overall, the team’s new front office addition continued to reiterate seeking and building unity with his fellow staff members and continuing to progress as a team.

“There’s a positive energy when I come into work everyday about the potential direction that we could take this team.”

To listen to the full interview, click here.

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Perry Emphasizes Togetherness in Kings Front Office

An exciting night for Sacramento, the thrill of the NBA Draft Lottery’s results were short-lived, as the Kings front office staff immediately turned its attention towards June’s NBA Draft.

Amassing a wealth of experience within the Association, Kings Vice President of Basketball Operations Scott Perry will be an influential part of the team’s Draft night decisions.

Following the Draft Lottery, Perry spoke with ABC10 to discuss his thoughts on Sacramento’s draft positions, the offseason and what drew him to Sactown.

“I saw it as a great opportunity. I liked the direction that Vlade and ownership wanted to move this organization [in.] Very much team-first oriented,” said Perry. “What I’m learning quickly about the Sacramento area is that the fans are terrific and they’re very passionate about the Kings.”

With the Kings in brand new territory - holding two top 10 picks for the first time in franchise history, there is excitement from Perry and the front office about the potential progress that could ensue in this scenario.

“[Having the fifth and tenth picks] opens up a lot of opportunity for us to improve this team and organization not only in the short term, but the long term as well.”

Perry also noted the approach he and Sacramento’s staff plan to take as the Draft rapidly approaches.

“There’s a lot to work to be done. It’s a 24/7 undertaking for the next 6 weeks. You just continue to learn more about these [prospects] and come up with the best decision that we feel is going to help move this team forward,” Perry said.

“You learn a lot about not only talent, but I think the more that you can learn about them personally during this stretch, the clearer it may make some things for you.”

Enduring a long stretch of minimal luck in the Lottery, this time around, Sacramento moved above their anticipated draft position for the first time since 1989.

Perry believes the Draft Lottery jump will help improve the morale of fans and others, too.

“[It’s] even more important for the fans that they see some good fortune like tonight and I think it provides some inspiration for the future for the team,” said Perry. “It’s going to be a big motivating factor for us to go out and do the very best job that we can.”

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Perry Prepares for Active Offseason

Sacramento, CA - The Sacramento Kings today hired Scott Perry as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, according to General Manager Vlade Divac. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Perry will report directly to Divac and assist in all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Kings front office, including roster management and development, player personnel matters, scouting strategy and free agency negotiations.

“I'm thrilled that Scott will be joining our front office team,” said Divac. “His extensive experience in the league and management talents will help build on our progress are we work to develop a winning franchise.”

Perry joins Sacramento’s front office after serving the last five seasons in a similar capacity with the Orlando Magic. Prior to his time in central Florida, Perry spent parts of 12 seasons with the Pistons as a collegiate scout (2000-02), director of player personnel (2002-2007) and later as Vice President of Basketball Operations (2008-12). Detroit reached the Eastern Conference Finals on six occasions (2003-08), made consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals (2004 and 2005) and won the NBA Title in 2004 during Perry’s tenure. He also served as the Seattle Supersonics assistant general manager in the 2007-08 season, during which the franchise drafted Kevin Durant No. 2 overall.

Before entering the NBA executive ranks, Perry spent three seasons as head basketball coach at Eastern Kentucky University (1997-2000) and nine years as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley and Detroit Mercy.

The former Wayne State University Warrior was a captain and all-conference player his senior season (1986). He also suited up for the University of Oregon as a freshman after being recruited by NBA coach Jim O’Brien and former NBA executive Stu Jackson.

Perry and his wife, Kim, have one daughter, Chelsea (22). His father Lowell earned distinction as an All-American football player at Michigan in 1951 and after a professional career was deferred due to military service in the United States Air Force, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1956. A serious injury early in the season ended his playing days but after a 13-week recovery process, the Steelers hired him as the first African American coach in the NFL since Fritz Pollard in 1921.