Denver Nuggets exec tabbed as Sacramento Kings’ next general manager

The Sacramento Kings have finally found the man to lead a new front office.

A source has confirmed to Cowbell Kingdom that Pete D’Alessandro, an executive currently with the Denver Nuggets, has agreed to become the Kings new general manager.  He takes over for long-time president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie, whose contract will not be renewed at the end of this month.

D’Alessandro emerged as a candidate after Denver allowed Sacramento permission to speak to him about the opportunity less than a week ago.  The Kings’ apparent new general manager was reportedly in the running to take over the post left by Masai Ujiri, who recently left the Nuggets to run basketball operations with the Toronto Raptors.

What do the reports say about D’Alessandro’s hiring?

From Yahoo! Sports:

D’Alessandro’s first orders of business with the Kings will be the June 27 NBA draft, where the Kings select seventh, and how to proceed with talented, but enigmatic center DeMarcus Cousins. D’Alessandro has been a proponent of giving Cousins every opportunity to succeed with the Kings and creating a culture with which he could flourish, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

From the Denver Post:

Previously asked about D’Alessandro, friend and former Golden State exec Chris Mullin said: “He’s the ideal guy. He’s got the experience now and he’s the whole package. He’s like one of the players that you don’t see coming, like (the Pacers’) Paul George, a star in the making. He knows his strengths, he empowers people around him. I loved working with him.”

From CBS Sports:

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace is viewed as someone who would make a strong partner with D’Alessandro and hasn’t been ruled out as an addition to the front office, a person familiar with the situation said. The Kings interviewed Wallace three times and are intrigued by his experience and small-market success.

From USA Today:

Ranadive has been hoping to add a consultant as well, but it remains unclear what his next step will be. In recent days, it appeared he had honed in on Memphis Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace, San Antonio assistant general manager Scott Layden and former Indiana Pacers general manager David Morway. The Kings interviewed a host of others as well, including TNT analyst and former Kings player Kenny Smith.

From the Sacramento Bee:

D’Alessandro was praised by former Denver general manager Masai Ujiri for his work. D’Alessandro played a key role in the Carmelo Anthony trade that allowed the Nuggets to trade their star while also acquiring enough talent to remain competitive in the Western Conference.

Who is Pete D’Alessandro?

• Three years with the Denver Nuggets as vice president of basketball operations.

• Primary duties with the Nuggets focused on trade and free agent negotiations, management of the of the salary cap under the collective bargaining agreement.

• Prior to the Nuggets, spent four years with the Golden State Warriors working under former executive vice president of basketball ops Chris Mullin.  Worked as director of basketball operations and assistant general manager during his time in the bay area.

• Before jumping into the world of professional basketball operations, worked for sports agent William Pollak at Professional Management Associates.

• Started his career as a video coordinator for hall of fame coach Lou Carnesecca at St. John’s University from 1986-1990.

• Earned a law degree from Nova Southeastern University and is a member of the New York State Bar.  Worked in a politics for a two years after earning his degree in 1994 and served as campaign manager for former New York State Congressman Rick Lazio.

James Ham and Jonathan Santiago contributed to the authoring of this post.