History of Sacramento Kings in Timeline

The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, competing in the NBA's Western Conference, Pacific Division. Notably, they hold the distinction of being the oldest team in the NBA and the first major professional sports franchise to establish itself in Sacramento. Their home games are played at the Golden 1 Center.

1923: Rochester Seagrams Formation

In 1923, the Rochester Seagrams, a semi-professional team, was formed in Rochester, New York, hosting various teams over the next 20 years.

1932: Seagrams Play in DBA

During the 1932-33 season, the Rochester Seagrams played professionally in the District Basketball Association.

1933: Seagrams Play in DBL

From 1933 to 1936, the Rochester Seagrams played in the District Basketball League.

1945: Success in NBL Years

From 1945 to 1948, the Rochester Royals experienced further success during their NBL years, playing over 300 total games, hosting most of them.

1945: Consistent Performance

From 1945 to 1954, the Rochester Royals consistently finished no lower than second in their division in both the NBL and BAA/NBA.

1945: Building the Rochester Royals Roster

In 1945, Lester Harrison was able to acquire several star players for his new team, the Rochester Royals, including Bob Davies, Red Holzman, and William "Fuzzy" Levane, as well as NBL free agents like George Glamack and Al Cervi.

1945: Creation of Professional Team

In 1945, a fully professional team was established in Rochester, New York, building on two decades of the sponsored semi-professional team, the Rochester Seagrams.

1945: Rochester Royals Join NBL

In 1945, the Rochester Seagrams joined the National Basketball League (NBL) and were renamed the Rochester Royals, winning the league's championship in their first season.

1948: Playing Non-League Opponents

From 1945 to 1948, the Rochester Royals played over 300 total games, hosting most of them, which permitted them to play non-league opponents.

1948: Royals Defect to BAA

In 1948, the Rochester Royals, along with the Fort Wayne Pistons, Minneapolis Lakers, and Indianapolis Jets, defected to the Basketball Association of America (BAA).

1948: Kings joined BAA as the Royals

In 1948, the Sacramento Kings, then known as the Royals and based in Rochester, New York, joined the BAA.

1949: BAA and NBL Merge

In 1949, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball League (NBL) merged to become the National Basketball Association (NBA).

1951: Royals Win NBA Championship

In 1951, as the Royals, the team won the NBA championship, marking a successful period for the franchise.

1954: Lakers' Dominance

Between 1949 and 1954, the Minneapolis Lakers, led by George Mikan, won the NBA Championship five times.

1954: Consistent Performance

From 1945 to 1954, the Rochester Royals consistently finished no lower than second in their division in both the NBL and BAA/NBA.

1955: Roster Turnover and New Coach

In 1955, the Rochester Royals' roster turned over, with star guard Bobby Wanzer becoming the team's new coach.

1956: Drafting Si Green

In 1956, the Cincinnati Royals drafted Si Green as the #1 overall pick in the NBA draft.

1956: Rochester Hosts All-Star Game

In 1956, the NBA agreed to host their All-Star Game in Rochester, but the Royals were in a rebuild and financial struggle, leading to pressure to sell or relocate the team.

February 1, 1957: Regular-Season Game in Cincinnati

On February 1, 1957, a well-received regular-season game was played at Cincinnati Gardens, influencing the Royals' move to Cincinnati.

April 1957: Royals Move to Cincinnati

In April 1957, the Harrison brothers moved the Rochester Royals to Cincinnati, which was seeking an NBA expansion franchise.

1957: Royals Relocate to Cincinnati

In 1957, due to financial difficulties in the small market of Rochester, the Royals relocated to Cincinnati and became the Cincinnati Royals.

1957: First NBA Draft in Cincinnati

In 1957, during the team's first NBA draft in Cincinnati, the Royals acquired Clyde Lovellette and guard George King.

1958: Rookie Season

The 1958-59 Cincinnati Royals team featured five rookies, with Lovellette, King and other key players having left the team in the wake of Stokes' tragic injury.

1960: Royals Land Oscar Robertson

In 1960, the Cincinnati Royals acquired local superstar Oscar Robertson, bolstering the team's roster.

1961: Robertson Averages Triple-Double

During the 1961-62 season, Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double and won the Most Valuable Player award in 1964.

1963: Ownership Dispute

In early 1963, an ownership dispute negatively impacted the Cincinnati Royals' playoff chances, with new owner Louis Jacobs booking a circus for Cincinnati Gardens during the playoff series versus the Boston Celtics, forcing the Royals to play home games at Xavier University's Schmidt Field House.

1963: Jerry Lucas Joins Team

In late 1963, Jerry Lucas joined the Cincinnati Royals, contributing to the team's rise to the second-best record in the NBA.

1964: Last Playoff Victory Before 1981

In 1964, was the franchise's last playoff victory before 1981.

1964: NBA Draft

In the 1964 NBA draft, the Cincinnati Royals drafted George Wilson, Bill Chmielewski, Steve Courtin, and Happy Hairston.

1966: Royals Play Home Games at Neutral Sites

During the 1966-67 season, the Cincinnati Royals began playing some of their home games in neutral sites such as Cleveland, Dayton, and Columbus, impacting their local fan base.

1966: Contending for Titles

From 1963 to 1966, the Cincinnati Royals contended strongly against the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers, but were unable to win any titles.

1968: Considering Omaha as a Market

As early as 1968, the Cincinnati Royals had been looking at Omaha as a market, playing twelve "home games" in Nebraska from 1968 to 1971.

1968: St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta

In 1968, the St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta, preventing a potential new rivalry for the Kings.

1968: Louis Jacobs Dies

In the summer of 1968, owner Louis Jacobs passed away and ownership of the Royals went to his sons, Jeremy and Max Jacobs.

1969: Lucas Traded

In 1969, new coach Bob Cousy traded Jerry Lucas, contributing to fan dissatisfaction.

April 1970: Death of Maurice Stokes

In April 1970, Maurice Stokes passed away, having been aided by Jack Twyman who legally adopted Stokes and raised funds for his medical treatment.

1970: Cavaliers Begin Play

During the 1966-67 season, the Royals began playing some of their home games in neutral sites such as Cleveland (until the Cavaliers began play in 1970), Dayton and Columbus.

1970: Robertson Traded to Milwaukee

In 1970, Oscar Robertson was traded to Milwaukee, where he immediately won an NBA title, leading to further decline in home attendance for the Royals.

1970: Buffalo Braves Established

In 1970, the Buffalo Braves were established, marking a third attempt to bring a team to upstate New York after the Royals moved to Ohio.

1970: Bengals Join NFL

In 1970, the Cincinnati Bengals joined the NFL after two seasons in the AFL, providing competition for the Royals in the Cincinnati market.

1970: Cleveland Cavaliers established

In 1970, the Cleveland Cavaliers were established, creating a new rival for the Royals and a new team in Ohio.

1971: Playing Home Games in Nebraska

From 1968 to 1971, the Cincinnati Royals played twelve "home games" in Nebraska as they considered Omaha as a market.

March 14, 1972: Announcement of Move to Kansas City

On March 14, 1972, it was announced that the Cincinnati Royals would move to Kansas City, leading to fan base dissatisfaction.

1972: KC-Omaha Kings Play in Omaha

From 1972 to 1975, the KC-Omaha Kings played a total of 42 regular season contests (but no playoff games) in Omaha.

1972: Team Relocates to Kansas City

In 1972, the team relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, and was renamed the Kansas City–Omaha Kings, splitting home games between Kansas City and Omaha, Nebraska.

1972: Archibald Leads the League

In the 1972–73 season, Nate Archibald led the league in scoring and assists while playing for the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.

1973: "Maurie" Film Release

In 1973, the feature film "Maurie", co-starring Bernie Casey and Bo Svenson, dramatized the story of Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes.

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1975: Kansas City Kings

In 1975, the club became simply the Kansas City Kings, moving into the new 16,785-seat Kemper Arena the previous season.

1976: Royals Success

In 1976, Kansas City Royals started a run of success winning the American League West division championship four times in five seasons.

1977: Phil Johnson Fired

In 1977, Phil Johnson was fired midyear and replaced by Larry Staverman.

1977: Games in Omaha

Through the 1977-78 season, the Kansas City Kings continued to play several games in Omaha.

March 1978: Final Game in Omaha

In March 1978, the Kansas City Kings played their final home game in Omaha, Nebraska, marking the end of splitting home games between Kansas City and Omaha.

1978: Braves moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers

In 1978, the Buffalo Braves moved to San Diego, California, becoming the San Diego Clippers.

1978: Cotton Fitzsimmons Hired

In 1978, the Kings hired Cotton Fitzsimmons as coach.

1979: Midwest Division Win and Rookie of the Year

In 1979, Cotton Fitzsimmons won the Midwest Division with rookie point guard Phil Ford, who was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

1979: Playoff Appearance

In 1979, the Kings made the playoffs.

1979: Roof Collapse at Kemper Arena

In 1979, the roof at Kemper Arena collapsed due to a storm, forcing the team to play at the Municipal Auditorium.

1980: Royals Reach World Series

In 1980, the Kansas City Royals reached the World Series.

1980: Playoff Appearance

In 1980, the Kings made the playoffs.

May 1981: Larry Staverman Resigns

In May 1981, Larry Staverman resigned as coach to become the team president's assistant for the Cleveland Browns.

1981: Western Conference Finals Appearance

In 1981, the Kings reached the Western Conference Finals.

1982: LaSalle Thompson Drafted

In 1982, LaSalle Thompson was drafted by the Kings in the first round, fifth overall pick.

June 8, 1983: Team Sold to Sacramento Investment Group

On June 8, 1983, the franchise was sold to a Sacramento-based investment group for $10.5 million.

October 15, 1984: ARCO Arena Conversion Announced

On October 15, 1984, the conversion of a warehouse into the first ARCO Arena was announced.

1984: Final Season in Kansas City

In 1984, The Kings had their final season in Kansas City with a 31-51 record.

1984: Team Moves to Sacramento

In 1984, after failing to find success in Kansas City, the franchise moved to Sacramento.

April 16, 1985: NBA Approves Transfer to Sacramento

On April 16, 1985, the transfer of the Kings to Sacramento was approved by NBA team owners.

June 1985: End of Lease with Kemper Arena

In June 1985, the Kings' lease with Kemper Arena expired.

1985: Joe Kleine Drafted

In 1985, Joe Kleine was selected by the Kings as the first-round, sixth-overall pick in the NBA draft.

1985: Move to Sacramento

In 1985, the Kings moved to Sacramento, California, marking the start of the 1985-86 NBA season.

1985: Kings relocated to Sacramento

Since the Sacramento Kings relocated to Sacramento in 1985, they have shared a geographic rivalry with the Golden State Warriors.

1986: Harold Pressley Drafted

In 1986, Harold Pressley was selected by the Kings in the first round, 17th overall pick.

1986: Michael Jackson Drafted

In 1986, Michael Jackson, selected by the New York Knicks but played his entire career with the Kings.

1986: Playoff Appearance

In 1986, the Kings' first Sacramento season ended in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

1987: Ed Pinckney Played for the Kings

From 1987 to 1989, Ed Pinckney played for the Kings.

1987: Jerry Reynolds Becomes Head Coach

In 1987, Jerry Reynolds became one of the earliest head coaches for the Kings.

1988: Jerry Reynolds and Bill Russell Head Coaches

In 1988, Jerry Reynolds and NBA legend Bill Russell served as head coaches for the Kings.

1988: Kings Draft Ricky Berry and Vinny Del Negro

In 1988, the Kings drafted Ricky Berry in the first round (18th pick) and Vinny Del Negro in the second round (29th pick).

February 23, 1989: Trade with the Boston Celtics

On February 23, 1989, Brad Lohaus and Danny Ainge were traded to the Kings from the Boston Celtics for Joe Kleine and Ed Pinckney.

1989: Ricky Berry's Suicide and Pervis Ellison Draft

In 1989, Ricky Berry committed suicide, and the Kings drafted Pervis Ellison with the first overall pick.

1989: Kings Draft Pervis Ellison

In 1989, the Kings drafted Pervis Ellison first overall in the NBA draft.

1990: Trades involving Danny Ainge, Kenny Smith, and Rodney McCray

In 1990, Danny Ainge was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, Kenny Smith was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, and Rodney McCray was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

1990: Kings Draft Lionel Simmons

In 1990, the Kings drafted Lionel Simmons in the first round, 7th pick overall.

1991: Billy Owens Drafted by the Kings

In 1991, Billy Owens was drafted by the Kings.

1992: Garry St. Jean Hired as Coach

In 1992, Garry St. Jean was chosen as the new coach for the Kings.

1992: Kurt Rambis on the Sacramento Kings Roster

In 1992, Kurt Rambis played on the Sacramento Kings roster.

1993: Rambis traded to the Lakers

After the 1992-93 season, Kurt Rambis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

1993: Bobby Hurley's Car Crash

In 1993, Bobby Hurley suffered a career-altering car crash.

1993: Kings Post Losing Record at Home

In 1993, the Sacramento Kings posted a losing record at home for the first time since 1993-94.

1994: Tisdale traded to the Phoenix Suns

After the 1993-94 season, Wayman Tisdale was traded to the Phoenix Suns.

1995: Spud Webb Traded to the Atlanta Hawks

After the 1994-95 season, Spud Webb was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Tyrone Corbin.

1995: 1995-96 NBA season

In the 1995-96 NBA season the Kings made the playoffs for the first time since moving to Sacramento.

1996: Arrival of Peja Stojaković

In 1996, Peja Stojaković arrived from PAOK BC (Greece).

1996: Playoff Appearance and Loss to SuperSonics

In 1996, the Kings made a playoff appearance, losing 3-1 to the Seattle SuperSonics.

1996: Playoff Appearance

In 1996, the Kings made the playoffs for the first time since moving to Sacramento.

1996: Walt Williams Traded to Miami Heat

Midway through the 1995-96 season, Walt Williams was traded to the Miami Heat for Billy Owens.

1997: Eddie Jordan Replaces Garry St. Jean

In 1997, Eddie Jordan replaced Garry St. Jean as the coach.

1997: End of Simmons' Career with the Kings

In 1997, Lionel Simmons played his last season with the Kings.

1997: Slamson the Lion became the official Kings mascot

Since the 1997-98 season, Slamson the Lion has been the official mascot of the Sacramento Kings, replacing "The Gorilla."

May 1998: Trade for Chris Webber

In May 1998, Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe were traded to the Washington Wizards for Chris Webber.

1998: Drafting Jason Williams, Signing Vlade Divac, and Trading for Chris Webber

In 1998, the Kings drafted Jason Williams, signed Vlade Divac, and traded for Chris Webber prior to the lockout-shortened season of 1998–99.

1998: Kings' Princeton Offense Impresses

In 1998, with Rick Adelman as head coach and Pete Carril as an aid, the Sacramento Kings showcased the Princeton offense, known for its swift style and effective ball movement. Despite criticisms regarding team defense and turnovers, the team's dynamic pairing of Williams and Webber attracted fans. This season marked their first winning season in approximately two decades since moving to Sacramento.

1999: Bill Wennington Returns to Kings

In 1999, Bill Wennington returned to the Kings for his final season.

1999: Kings Trade Tariq Abdul-Wahad for Nick Anderson

In 1999, the Sacramento Kings traded shooting guard Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Orlando Magic in exchange for veteran shooting guard Nick Anderson.

1999: Home Game Sell-Out Streak Since 1999

Since 1999, the Sacramento Kings had sold out every home game until the 2007-08 season.

1999: Kings-Warriors series draws highest TV ratings since 1999

The 2023 playoff series between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors drew the highest first- and second-round playoff TV ratings for the NBA since 1999, with game 7 peaking at 11.9 million viewers on ABC.

2000: End of Wennington's Career with the Kings

In 2000, Bill Wennington had his final season with the Kings.

2000: Kings Lose to Lakers in Playoffs

In 2000, the Sacramento Kings, finishing eighth in the Western Conference with a 44–38 record, faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, but were defeated 2–3.

February 2001: Kings Featured on Sports Illustrated Cover

In February 2001, the Sacramento Kings were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in a story titled "The Greatest Show on Court", featuring Williams, Christie, Stojaković, Webber, and Divac. The team's rising popularity and improved performance led to this recognition.

July 2001: Kings Trade Jason Williams for Mike Bibby

In July 2001, the Sacramento Kings traded Jason Williams and Nick Anderson to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Mike Bibby and Brent Price. This decision aimed to bring more stability and control to the point guard position. Additionally, Webber was re-signed to a maximum-salary contract, securing his place with the team long term.

2001: Successful 2001-02 Season

In the 2001-02 season, the Sacramento Kings achieved their best record in the city with 61-21, a winning percentage of .744.

2002: Kings and Lakers in Western Conference Finals

In 2002, the Kings and Lakers faced each other in the Western Conference Finals, which was one of the most bitterly contested in NBA history, with many controversial calls in game 6. The Lakers won the series in game 7.

2002: Kings brought back 1960s Cincinnati Royals uniform as tribute to Oscar Robertson

In 2002, the Sacramento Kings paid tribute to Oscar Robertson by wearing the 1960s Cincinnati Royals white uniform for a few games.

2002: Controversies Surrounding the 2002 Western Conference Finals

In 2002, the Western Conference Finals sparked debate and scrutiny, leading the NBA to review officiating due to allegations by Tim Donaghy. Lawrence Pedowitz's review found poor officiating in game 6 but no concrete evidence of fixed games.

2002: Bibby traded to Atlanta Hawks

In February of 2002, the Kings traded Bibby to the Atlanta Hawks for Tyronn Lue, Anthony Johnson, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright and a 2nd round draft pick.

2003: Chris Webber's Knee Injury and Playoff Loss

In 2003, after winning the division and seeking to avenge their playoff loss to the Lakers, the Sacramento Kings experienced a setback when Chris Webber sustained a major knee injury in game 2 against the Dallas Mavericks, leading to a seven-game series loss.

2004: Kings brought back powder blue jerseys to celebrate franchise's 20th season in Sacramento

In 2004, the Sacramento Kings brought back their mid-1980s powder blue jerseys to commemorate the franchise's 20th season in Sacramento.

2004: Divac signs with Lakers, Christie traded to Magic, Webber traded to 76ers

In 2004, the Sacramento Kings underwent significant changes with Divac signing with the Lakers, Christie traded to the Orlando Magic for Cuttino Mobley, and Webber traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas, and Brian Skinner.

2005: Kings Trade Bobby Jackson and Acquire Shareef Abdur-Rahim

In 2005, the Sacramento Kings continued their changes by trading Bobby Jackson for Bonzi Wells and acquiring free agent Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

2005: Kings Trade Stojaković for Ron Artest

In 2005, the Sacramento Kings traded Peja Stojaković for Ron Artest in an effort to shake up the team chemistry and improve performance. Artest's arrival led to a strong post-All-Star break record for the Kings.

2006: Kings Eliminated from Playoffs, Adelman's Contract Not Renewed

In 2006, despite a 44-38 record, the Sacramento Kings were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Rick Adelman's contract was not renewed, marking the end of an era. Eric Musselman was named as his replacement.

2006: Start of Losing Seasons and Playoff Drought

In 2006, the Kings began a streak of 16 consecutive losing seasons, the most in NBA history, and also started the longest active postseason drought in major North American sports.

2006: Legal Troubles and Disappointing Season

In 2006, the Sacramento Kings' season was marked by legal troubles, including Coach Eric Musselman's DUI charge and Artest's neglect of his dogs. This contributed to a disappointing season.

2006: NBA All-Star Game Jersey Template Adoption

Since 2006, the Kings' back jersey template, which placed the player's surname below his number, was adopted by the NBA during the All-Star Game.

2007: Kings Miss Playoffs, Musselman Fired

In 2007, the Sacramento Kings missed the NBA playoffs for the first time in eight seasons and fired coach Eric Musselman. Kevin Martin emerged as a lead candidate for the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award.

2007: Kings Hire Reggie Theus, Draft Spencer Hawes, and Extend Martin's Contract

In 2007, the Sacramento Kings replaced Head coach Musselman with Reggie Theus. They selected Spencer Hawes in the NBA draft and extended Kevin Martin's contract for five more years. Backup Ronnie Price left and Corliss Williamson retired.

2007: Kings Miss Playoffs, Attendance Drops

In the 2007-08 season, the Sacramento Kings missed the playoffs, and attendance at ARCO Arena dropped significantly, with only three sold-out games and an average of 13,500 fans per home game.

July 29, 2008: Kings Trade Artest to Rockets

On July 29, 2008, the Sacramento Kings traded Ron Artest, Patrick Ewing Jr., and Sean Singletary to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Bobby Jackson, Donté Greene, a future first-round draft pick, and cash considerations for Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth.

2008: Reggie Theus Fired

During the 2008-09 season, Reggie Theus was fired as head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

April 23, 2009: Kings Fire Interim Head Coach Kenny Natt and Assistants

On April 23, 2009, the Sacramento Kings fired interim head coach Kenny Natt and his four assistants.

2009: Kings Draft Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi

In 2009, the Sacramento Kings selected Tyreke Evans with the 4th overall pick and Omri Casspi with the 23rd pick in the NBA draft. Paul Westphal became the new head coach.

April 27, 2010: Tyreke Evans Wins NBA Rookie of the Year Award

On April 27, 2010, Tyreke Evans became the first Sacramento-era player to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He also became the fourth player in NBA history to average 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game as a rookie.

June 24, 2010: Kings Draft DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside

On June 24, 2010, the Sacramento Kings selected DeMarcus Cousins with the 5th pick and Hassan Whiteside with the 33rd pick in the NBA draft.

2010: Relocation Attempt to Anaheim Fails

In 2010, the Maloofs sought to relocate the Sacramento Kings to Anaheim due to arena issues and dwindling profits. However, the NBA Board of Governors rejected the relocation effort.

2010: Kings honored the 1950-51 Rochester Royals championship team by wearing throwback uniforms

In 2010, the Sacramento Kings honored the 1950–51 Rochester Royals championship team by wearing throwback uniforms from that era.

May 16, 2013: Agreement to sell Kings to Vivek Ranadivé

On May 16, 2013, the Maloof family reached an agreement to sell the Kings to a group led by Vivek Ranadivé for a then-record NBA franchise valuation of $535 million. Raj Bhathal was named as one of the investors. The group fought off a rival bid to relocate the team to Seattle, and the new owners intended to keep the team in Sacramento.

May 31, 2013: Sale to Ranadivé group finalized

On May 31, 2013, the Kings finalized the sale to the Ranadivé group at a record valuation of $534 million. This marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise, with plans underway to move forward on building an arena.

September 23, 2013: Shaquille O'Neal purchases minority share of the team

On September 23, 2013, Shaquille O'Neal purchased a minority share of the team, jokingly dubbing the team's new organization the "Shaqramento Kings."

2014: Kings wore blue versions of the Rochester throwbacks

In 2014, the Sacramento Kings wore blue versions of the Rochester throwbacks.

January 30, 2015: DeMarcus Cousins named All-Star

On January 30, 2015, DeMarcus Cousins was named to replace the injured Kobe Bryant as a Western Conference All-Star in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game. This marked the first time a Kings player earned All-Star honors since 2004.

March 3, 2015: Vlade Divac becomes VP of Basketball Operations

On March 3, 2015, the Kings announced former Sacramento center Vlade Divac as the new vice president of basketball operations.

2015: Kings brought back powder blue jerseys for the team's final season at Sleep Train Arena

In 2015, the Sacramento Kings wore the mid-1980s powder blue jerseys again for the team's final season at Sleep Train Arena.

April 14, 2016: George Karl fired as head coach

On April 14, 2016, after a 33–49 season, the Kings fired head coach George Karl. Karl compiled a record of 44–68 with the Kings.

May 9, 2016: Dave Joerger hired as head coach

On May 9, 2016, the Kings hired former Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger as head coach.

February 20, 2017: DeMarcus Cousins traded to the Pelicans

On February 20, 2017, the Kings traded DeMarcus Cousins, alongside Omri Casspi to the New Orleans Pelicans for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway and two future draft picks.

July 10, 2017: Kings sign veteran players

On July 10, 2017, the Kings signed three veteran players: Vince Carter, Zach Randolph, and George Hill.

October 17, 2018: Kings lose season opener against Utah Jazz

On October 17, 2018, the Kings lost their season opener to the Utah Jazz 123–117.

2019: Kings brought back blue uniforms worn from 1990 to 1994

In 2019, the Sacramento Kings brought back their blue uniforms worn from 1990 to 1994 to commemorate the franchise's 35th season in Sacramento.

August 14, 2020: Vlade Divac resigns as general manager

On August 14, 2020, the Sacramento Kings announced that general manager Vlade Divac would resign from his position. Joe Dumars was named interim Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.

September 17, 2020: Monte McNair hired as general manager

On September 17, 2020, the Sacramento Kings announced the hiring of Monte McNair as the franchise's new general manager.

October 14, 2020: Kings announce additional hires

On October 14, 2020, Monte McNair announced three additional hires: Wes Wilcox as an assistant GM, Phil Jabour as vice president of player personnel, and Paul Johnson as director of basketball operations.

July 2021: Dyal Capital invests in the Kings

In July 2021, Dyal Capital, a unit of Blue Owl Capital, began to solidify a deal investing in the basketball team, giving the investment firm a 5 percent stake in the team with a valuation of $1.5 billion.

2021: All-Star Game Drought

As of 2021, it is the last time that the franchise has hosted an All-Star Game.

2022: End of Losing Seasons

By 2022, the Kings had 16 consecutive losing seasons, the most in NBA history.

2023: End of Postseason Drought

In 2023, the Kings ended their postseason drought, which had been the longest active drought in the four major North American sports.

2023: Kings and Warriors faced off in the first round of the playoffs

In 2023, the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors faced off in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since the Kings joined the BAA in 1948. The Warriors defeated the Kings in seven games to advance to the semifinals.

2023: End of 16-Year Playoff Drought

In 2023, the Sacramento Kings ended a 16-year playoff drought.

2024: Kings unveiled their classic uniform as part of the team's 40th season in Sacramento

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Sacramento Kings unveiled their classic uniform, which was based on the 2002 to 2008 purple uniform, as part of the team's 40th season in Sacramento.