Jeremy Lamb’s unexpected influence on the Sacramento Kings‘ front office dynamics may have played a larger role than anyone anticipated, leading to major organizational instability that culminated in De’Aaron Fox’s departure and internal turmoil.
Lamb, who initially arrived in Sacramento as part of the Domantas Sabonis trade in 2022, became a central figure within the organization—not for his on-court contributions but due to his relationship with Kings owner Vivek Ranadive’s daughter, Anjali Ranadive.
Anjali, who initially pursued a music career and even performed at Kings games, transitioned into a front-office role, first becoming an assistant general manager of the Stockton Kings (Sacramento’s G-League affiliate) in 2022, before being elevated to GM in May 2023. During her tenure, Lamb was a player on the team, and their romantic relationship became public in October 2023.
However, her tenure as GM was overshadowed by controversy. One of Stockton’s players, Chance Comanche, was arrested and later charged with murder for a crime that allegedly took place during a team road trip in Las Vegas. Less than a month later, Anjali stepped down from her role, citing personal and academic pursuits.
Even after stepping down, she and Lamb remained highly visible figures at Kings games, often sitting courtside with Vivek and seemingly exerting growing influence on the team’s decision-making process. This led to frustration within the organization, as multiple sources within the team felt power dynamics were shifting in unpredictable ways.
One Kings employee sarcastically remarked to The Athletic that, “We’re all going to be working for Jeremy Lamb soon enough.”
Tension escalated during the mid-season firing of head coach Mike Brown, a move that many in the organization believed was influenced by Vivek’s inner circle, including Anjali and Lamb. Brown was a favorite of De’Aaron Fox, and his abrupt dismissal only fueled Fox’s desire to leave Sacramento.
Fox, who had turned down multiple max extensions from the Kings in recent months, no longer trusted the franchise’s stability. He reportedly told interim head coach Doug Christie that he could not see a future in Sacramento if the front office continued to operate in dysfunction. Soon after, Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, marking the end of an era for the Kings.
The situation has left many questioning who is truly in charge of the franchise. Lamb’s influence appeared to fade after Fox’s departure, but the lingering effects of his presence were already felt. Even Domantas Sabonis, who is under contract for three more seasons, is reportedly seeking clarity about the organization’s direction before fully committing to Sacramento long-term.
For a franchise that seemed to be turning the corner after ending a 16-year playoff drought, the Kings now find themselves mired in uncertainty once again. Whether Vivek Ranadivé can restore faith in the organization remains to be seen, but Jeremy Lamb’s involvement in Sacramento’s inner workings had far greater consequences than anyone expected.
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