Perry's Knicks past reveals bold financial decisions, including waiving stars. Could he make similar moves to reshape the Kings' future?
Scott Perry is entering his second season as the Sacramento Kings' general manager with a difficult offseason ahead. But his tenure with the New York Knicks can provide insight into what offseason moves he could make.
The Knicks hired Perry as their general manager in 2017, and he manned the position until 2023. He made a blockbuster trade in his first year, sending 10-time all-star Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick.
While Perry started his tenure by trading Anthony, he had a quiet second offseason. Perry didn't make any blockbuster trades, but Matt George and Kayla Anderson of "The Matt and Kayla Show" on Sactown Sports 1140 highlighted one decision Perry made in 2018 that is worth noting for Sacramento.
"He waived Joakim Noah, and Joakim Noah had two years and $37.8 million left on his deal," George said on Thursday. "That's interesting. That's very interesting, considering DeMar DeRozan or some of these other contracts to get financially back under control. Clearly, Scott wasn't afraid to wave guys that he felt he needed to move on from."
DeRozan, who the Kings received in a three-team sign-and-trade deal in July 2024, is entering the final year of his three-year, $74 million contract.
The 36-year-old will earn $25.7 million next season, but only $10 million is guaranteed. His contract becomes fully guaranteed on Jan. 10, 2027, which opens the possibility of Perry waiving the 16-year veteran at some point before next year.
Waiving DeRozan would free $15 million in cap space for the Kings, who need to find every way possible to get under the second apron, as their active cap is over $200 million when the new fiscal year begins.
After letting go of Noah, Perry did not make any other surprising moves in the offseason, opting to let Kristaps Porzingis recover from a season-ending torn right ACL injury.
Although it was a quiet 2018 offseason, Perry did a 180 and had a loud trade deadline.
He traded Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke to the Dallas Mavericks for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two first-round picks.
Perry replicating his trade deadline magic in 2027 could help the Kings get out of the luxury tax. George highlighted a loophole in the luxury tax penalty system that Sacramento could use at the deadline.
"He (Perry) said on this station, they're not going to be a luxury tax team," George said. "That does not mean that they won't be a luxury tax team going into the season, but by the end of the season, they will be under that luxury tax mark."
It would be a difficult task for Perry to accomplish, but addressing the contracts of DeRozan, Zach LaVine or Domantas Sabonis could earn Sacramento the financial flexibility the organization wants.
Perry's previous tenure with the Knicks provides insight into some moves the general manager could make in the offseason and next trade deadline.
For a team investing over $200 million into its roster that isn't a championship contender, the Kings must find a way to shed salary and get their future back on track.
"Just get to 2027," George said. "He's preached that patience point so many times. And that's the thing, like he's lived it. So he knows it can work," Anderson added.
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