Ex-NBA executive Gordon 'Scotty' Stirling dies at 86

The NBA is saddened to announce the passing of Gordon "Scotty" Stirling, a former NBA vice president of operations and a longtime NBA team executive and scout.

Stirling died Wednesday in Sacramento, Calif., at age 86.

Stirling spent 27 years with the Kings from 1987-2013, including 24 seasons as scouting director. During his tenure, Sacramento drafted three-time NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, Hedo Turkoglu, the NBA's first Turkish-born player, and 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans.

Before joining the Kings, Stirling was the Knicks' general manager from 1986-87. He accepted the position with New York after serving as the NBA's vice president of basketball operations for three seasons and as the assistant to the Warriors' president from 1976-82. Stirling was also general manager of the 1968-69 ABA champion Oaks.