Full History Of Sacramento Kings In Timeline From 1923

1923: Franchise Began as Rochester Seagrams

In 1923, the Sacramento Kings franchise originated as the Rochester Seagrams, a semi-professional team based in Rochester, New York.

1945: Continued Success in NBL

From 1945 to 1948, the Rochester Royals experienced continued success in the National Basketball League (NBL), including playing over 300 total games.

1945: Consistent Division 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: Acquisition of Star Players

In 1945, Harrison successfully recruited notable players such as Bob Davies, Red Holzman, William "Fuzzy" Levane, George Glamack, and Al Cervi for the Rochester Royals.

1945: Rochester Royals Established

In 1945, the Rochester Royals were established as a purely-professional team, evolving from the semi-professional Rochester Seagrams.

1945: Joined National Basketball League as Rochester Royals

In 1945, the Rochester Seagrams joined the National Basketball League (NBL) and were renamed the Rochester Royals.

1948: Continued Success in NBL

From 1945 to 1948, the Rochester Royals experienced continued success in the National Basketball League (NBL), including playing over 300 total games.

1948: Kings join BAA

In 1948, the Kings joined the BAA as the Royals based in Rochester, New York.

1948: Jumped to Basketball Association of America

In 1948, the Rochester Royals, along with three other NBL teams, transitioned to the Basketball Association of America (BAA).

1949: Kings and Lakers face off in playoffs

In 1949, the Kings and the Lakers faced each other in the playoffs.

1949: Limited Schedule and Competition with Lakers

In 1949, the move to the BAA resulted in a limited exhibition schedule for the Rochester Royals and increased competition with the Minneapolis Lakers.

1950: Rochester Royals

The Kings honored the 1950-51 Rochester Royals championship team with throwback uniforms during the 2010-11 season.

1951: Gold tab added representing 1951 NBA championship

For the 2014-15 season, a gold tab above the NBA logo represents the franchise's 1951 NBA championship.

1951: Won NBA Championship

In 1951, as the Rochester Royals, the team achieved success by winning the NBA championship.

1954: Consistent Division 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 Arena

In 1955, the Rochester Royals' roster changed except for Bobby Wanzer, who became the coach, and the team moved to the Rochester War Memorial.

1956: Hosted NBA All-Star Game

In 1956, the NBA hosted the All-Star Game in Rochester; however, the Royals were now a losing team and did not generate a profit.

1956: Loss of Si Green

Si Green, the #1 overall pick of the 1956 NBA draft, was lost to military service, which impacted the team's performance during the 1957-58 season.

February 1, 1957: Regular-season Game at Cincinnati Gardens

On February 1, 1957, a 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 relocated the Royals to Cincinnati, following a well-received regular-season game there on February 1, 1957.

1957: Acquired Clyde Lovellette and George King

In 1957, during their first NBA draft in Cincinnati, the team acquired Clyde Lovellette and George King, who teamed with Maurice Stokes and Jack Twyman.

1957: Relocated to Cincinnati

In 1957, the Rochester Royals relocated to Cincinnati due to financial difficulties in the Rochester market, becoming the Cincinnati Royals.

1957: Team logo becomes basketball with cartoon face upon moving to Cincinnati

In 1957, upon moving to Cincinnati, the team logo was changed to a basketball with a cartoon face, depicted as wearing a crown with the city of Cincinnati within it. The word "CINCINNATI" was above the logo, and "ROYALS" was below.

1958: Cincinnati Team Featured Rookies

In 1958-59, the Cincinnati team featured five rookies and key players left the team, after Stokes' injury.

1960: Acquisition of Oscar Robertson

In 1960, the team acquired Oscar Robertson, who played alongside Jack Twyman, Wayne Embry, Bob Boozer, and others, improving the team's fortunes.

1961: Oscar Robertson Averaged Triple-Double

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

1963: Ownership Dispute and Playoff Setback

In early 1963, an ownership dispute hindered the team's playoff chances when the new owner booked a circus for Cincinnati Gardens during the playoff series versus the Boston Celtics.

1963: Jerry Lucas Joined the Team

In late 1963, Jerry Lucas joined the team, which rose to have the second-best record in the NBA.

1964: Last Playoff Victory Before 1981

Before 1981, the franchise's last playoff victories occurred in 1964.

1964: NBA Draft

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

1966: Played Home Games in Neutral Sites

During the 1966-67 season, the Royals began playing some home games in neutral sites such as Cleveland, Dayton, and Columbus.

1966: Contended Against Boston and Philadelphia

From 1963 to 1966, the Royals strongly contended against Boston and the Philadelphia 76ers, but did not win any titles.

1968: Omaha as Potential Market

As early as 1968, the Cincinnati Royals considered Omaha as a potential market, playing twelve 'home games' in Nebraska from 1968 to 1971.

1968: St. Louis Hawks move to Atlanta

In 1968, the St. Louis Hawks moved to Atlanta, preventing a potential new rivalry for the Kings and making the Kings the first team in Missouri in four years.

1968: Death of Owner Louis Jacobs

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

1969: Traded Lucas

In 1969, coach Bob Cousy traded Lucas, which was unpopular with fans.

April 1970: Death of Maurice Stokes

Jack Twyman aided Maurice Stokes until his death in April 1970.

1970: Robertson Traded to Milwaukee

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

1970: Buffalo Braves established

In 1970, the Buffalo Braves were established, leaving upstate New York with a team.

1970: Bengals Joined NFL

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

1970: Cleveland Cavaliers established

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

1970: Cavaliers Began Play

The Cleveland Cavaliers began play in 1970.

1971: Omaha as Potential Market

As early as 1968, the Cincinnati Royals considered Omaha as a potential market, playing twelve 'home games' in Nebraska from 1968 to 1971.

1971: Team adopts red crown with blue half-basketball logo

In 1971, the team adopted a red crown with a blue half-basketball below it. The word "CINCINNATI", in blue, was placed above the logo. The word "ROYALS", in white, was placed on the crown.

March 14, 1972: Announcement of Move to Kansas City

On March 14, 1972, the franchise's move to Kansas City was announced.

1972: Kansas City-Omaha Kings Keep Uniforms and Logos After Relocation

For the 1972–73 season, the renamed and relocated Kansas City-Omaha Kings kept their uniforms and logos, with the exception of the name change.

1972: Played games in Omaha

From 1972 to 1975, the KC-Omaha Kings played a total of 42 regular season contests in Omaha.

1972: Relocated to Kansas City and Omaha

In 1972, the team relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska, and was renamed the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.

1972: Nate Archibald Led League

In the 1972-73 season, Nate Archibald led the league in scoring and assists.

1973: Release of "Maurie" Film

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

1975: Kings change road uniforms back to city name

After settling in Kansas City for good in 1975, the Kings changed their road uniforms back to reading the city name in front.

1975: Became Kansas City Kings

In 1975, the club became the Kansas City Kings and moved into the Kemper Arena.

1976: Royals' Success

In 1976, the Kansas City Royals began a run of success, winning the American League West division championship.

1977: Phil Johnson Fired

In 1977, Phil Johnson was fired midyear as coach of the Sacramento Kings. Larry Staverman, a former player, replaced him.

1977: Continued games in Omaha

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

March 1978: Continued to play home games in Omaha

Through March 1978, the Kansas City Kings continued to play several home games per season in Omaha, Nebraska.

1978: Cotton Fitzsimmons hired as coach

In 1978, Cotton Fitzsimmons was hired as the coach of the Kansas City Kings, marking a turning point towards some success for the team in their new home.

1978: Braves move to San Diego

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

1979: Fitzsimmons Wins Midwest Division

In 1979, Cotton Fitzsimmons led the Kansas City Kings to win the Midwest Division. Phil Ford was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

1979: Roof Fell In At Kemper Arena

In 1979, due to a severe storm, the roof of Kemper Arena collapsed, causing the Kings to play most of the 1979-80 season at the Municipal Auditorium.

1979: Kings Make Playoffs

In 1979, the Sacramento Kings made the playoffs.

1980: Royals Reach World Series

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

1980: Kings Make Playoffs Again

In 1980, the Sacramento Kings made the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

May 1981: Larry Staverman Resigned

In May 1981, Larry Staverman resigned from his coaching position with the Sacramento Kings. He transitioned to become the team president's assistant for the Cleveland Browns.

1981: Kings road uniforms revert to team name

Beginning with the 1981–82 season, the Kings road uniforms reverted to the team name in front, while numbers in front took on the same color schemes as the numbers in the back.

1981: Kings Reach Western Conference Finals

In 1981, the Sacramento Kings reached the Western Conference Finals in the NBA playoffs, marking their first playoff victories since 1964 while in Kansas City. They lost to the Houston Rockets.

1982: LaSalle Thompson Drafted

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

June 8, 1983: Franchise Sold

On June 8, 1983, the Sacramento Kings franchise was sold for $10.5 million to an investment group based in Sacramento, California.

December 13, 1983: Detroit Pistons beat Denver Nuggets in triple-overtime

On December 13, 1983, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186–184 in triple-overtime.

October 15, 1984: First ARCO Arena Announced

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

1984: Moved to Sacramento

After the 1984-85 season, the franchise moved to Sacramento.

1984: Kings' Final Season

In 1984, the Kings' final season in Kansas City resulted in a 31-51 record, with low attendance at Kemper Arena. Don Buse played his final professional season for the Kings.

April 16, 1985: Kings' Transfer Approved

On April 16, 1985, NBA team owners officially approved the transfer of the Kings to Sacramento, with the condition that an arena seating more than 16,000 be constructed.

June 1985: Lease With Kemper Arena Expired

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

1985: Kings retain red, white and blue color scheme with different shades

Following their move from Kansas City in 1985, the Kings still used the same color scheme of red, white and blue. However, the shades of blue used on their home and road uniforms were different for five seasons.

1985: Joe Kleine Drafted

In 1985, Joe Kleine was drafted by the Kings as the first round, sixth overall pick.

1985: Kings Moved to Sacramento

In 1985, the Sacramento Kings relocated to Sacramento, California.

1986: Pressley Drafted

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

1986: Michael Jackson Drafted

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

1986: First Season in Sacramento

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

1987: Ed Pinckney Played for Kings

From 1987, Ed Pinckney played for the Sacramento Kings.

1987: Jerry Reynolds and Bill Russell Coaching

In 1987, Jerry Reynolds and Bill Russell became head coaches for the Sacramento Kings.

1988: Jerry Reynolds and Bill Russell Coaching

In 1988, Jerry Reynolds and Bill Russell were head coaches for the Sacramento Kings.

1988: Ricky Berry and Vinny Del Negro Drafted

In 1988, Ricky Berry was selected by the Kings in the first round, and Vinny Del Negro was drafted in the second round. Rodney McCray also joined the team and made the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

February 23, 1989: Trade with Boston Celtics

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

1989: Ellison Drafted

In 1989, Pervis Ellison was the first overall pick in the NBA draft by the Kings.

1989: Ricky Berry's Suicide and Pervis Ellison Drafted

In 1989, Ricky Berry committed suicide during the off-season. The Kings also drafted "Never Nervous" Pervis Ellison with the first overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft.

1990: Kings wear blue uniforms

From 1990 to 1994, the Kings wore blue uniforms that were brought back in the 2019-20 season to commemorate the franchise's 35th season in Sacramento.

1990: Player Departures and Acquisitions

In 1990, Danny Ainge, Kenny Smith, and Rodney McCray were traded from the Kings. Wayman Tisdale remained on the team. Kenny Smith participated in the 1990 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

1990: Simmons Drafted

In 1990, Lionel Simmons was drafted by the Kings in the first round, 7th pick overall and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

1990: Uniforms changed slightly

In 1990, the Kings uniforms changed slightly, with royal blue now used on the road; the shorts now incorporate the Kings logo, and the name and number on the back switched places to the standard positions.

1991: Billy Owens Drafted

In 1991, Billy Owens was drafted by the Sacramento Kings and traded to Golden State for Mitch Richmond.

1992: Rambis Traded

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

1992: Garry St. Jean Chosen as Coach

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

1993: Rambis Traded

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: Colorado Rockies Adopt Unique Color Combination

In 1993, the MLB's Colorado Rockies first adopted the unique color combination of purple, silver, black, and white, which was later used by the Kings.

1993: First Losing Record at Home Since 1993-94

In 2006-07, the Sacramento Kings posted a losing record (20–21) at home for the first time since 1993–94.

1994: Tisdale Traded

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

1994: Kings wear blue uniforms

From 1990 to 1994, the Kings wore blue uniforms that were brought back in the 2019-20 season to commemorate the franchise's 35th season in Sacramento.

1994: Kings adopt new color scheme

In 1994, the Kings radically changed their look, adopting a new color scheme of purple, silver, black, and white. The uniform set consists of one wide side stripe running through the right leg of the shorts, with the primary Kings logo prominently featured.

1995: Webb Traded

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

1995: Kings Make 1995-96 NBA playoffs

In 1995, the Sacramento Kings made it to the 1995-96 NBA playoffs.

1996: Stojaković Drafted

In 1996, Peja Stojaković was drafted by the Sacramento Kings.

1996: Playoff Appearance Lost

In 1996, the Sacramento Kings made a playoff appearance but lost the series 3-1 to the Seattle SuperSonics, who were led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp.

1996: Kings Make Playoffs Again

In 1996, the Sacramento Kings made it to the NBA playoffs again.

1996: Williams Traded

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 of the Sacramento Kings.

1997: Simmons' Final Season

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

1997: Kings introduce new purple uniform

In the 1997–98 season, the Sacramento Kings introduced a new purple uniform, which shared the same template from the home and road uniforms.

1997: Slamson the Lion becomes Kings mascot

Since the 1997–98 season, the official Kings mascot has been Slamson the Lion, 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, which proved to be a key move for achieving playoff success.

1998: Los Angeles Kings Adopt Unique Color Combination

From 1998 to 2011, the NHL's Los Angeles Kings used the color combination of purple, silver, black, and white.

1998: Key Acquisitions

In 1998, the Sacramento Kings drafted Jason Williams, signed Vlade Divac, and traded for Chris Webber. These acquisitions were attributed to general manager Geoff Petrie.

1998: Kings' Princeton Offense Impresses

In 1998, with Rick Adelman as the new head coach and Pete Carril aiding, the Sacramento Kings' Princeton offense gained attention for its quick style and strong ball movement. Despite criticisms regarding defense and turnovers, the team garnered fans due to the pairing of Williams and Webber.

1999: Wennington Returns to Kings

In 1999, Bill Wennington returned to the Sacramento Kings.

1999: Kings Trade Abdul-Wahad for Anderson

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

1999: NBA Playoff TV Ratings

Since 1999, the series drew the highest first- and second-round playoff TV ratings for the NBA.

1999: End of Sellout Streak

The Sacramento Kings sold out every home game since 1999, before the 2007-08 season where they only sold out three games.

2000: Wennington's Final Season

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

2000: Kings Lose to Lakers in Playoffs

In 2000, the Sacramento Kings finished eighth in the Western Conference with a 44-38 record and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 2-3 in the first round of the playoffs.

February 2001: Kings on Sports Illustrated Cover

In February 2001, the Sacramento Kings, featuring Williams, Christie, Stojaković, Webber, and Divac, were on the cover of Sports Illustrated with a story entitled "The Greatest Show on Court."

July 2001: Kings Trade Williams for Bibby

In July 2001, the Sacramento Kings traded Jason Williams and Nick Anderson to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Mike Bibby and Brent Price. Webber also re-signed with the Kings to a maximum-salary contract.

2001: Successful Season

In the 2001-02 season, the team had the best record in the NBA at 61-21.

2002: Kings uniform style based on 2002-2008 purple uniform

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

2002: Kings change uniforms again

Before the start of the 2002–03 NBA season, the Kings changed their uniforms once again. This set included a modernized version of the "Kings" script on the home jersey, and the city name on the purple road jersey.

2002: NBA Review of Officiating after 2002 Western Conference Finals

In 2002, following allegations raised by former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, the NBA set up a review of the league's officiating regarding the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Lawrence Pedowitz led the review, concluding that while game 6 featured poor officiating, there was no concrete evidence that the game had been fixed.

2002: Kings and Lakers bitterly contest in Western Conference Finals

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

2002: Bibby Last Player from 2002 Team

The 2008 trade of Mike Bibby meant that the last player from the Kings team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2002 had left.

2003: Webber's Injury Leads to Playoff Loss

In 2003, after defeating the Utah Jazz in the first round and winning game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks in the second round, Chris Webber sustained a major knee injury in game 2, and the Kings lost the series in seven games.

2004: Brad Miller and Peja Stojaković Represent Sacramento in All-Star Game

In 2004, Brad Miller and Peja Stojaković represented the Sacramento Kings in the NBA All-Star Game.

2004: Kings bring back powder blue jerseys

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

2004: Kings Trade Christie and Webber

In 2004, the Sacramento Kings traded Doug Christie to the Orlando Magic for Cuttino Mobley. Later, they traded Chris Webber to the Philadelphia 76ers for Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas, and Brian Skinner.

2005: Kings Trade Jackson and Acquire Abdur-Rahim

In the 2005 off-season, the Sacramento Kings traded Bobby Jackson for Bonzi Wells and acquired free agent Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

2005: Kings introduce gold alternate uniform

In the 2005–06 season, the Sacramento Kings introduced a gold alternate uniform, featuring the classic script "Kings" wordmark, but it lasted only two seasons.

2005: Kings Struggle with Chemistry

The 2005-06 season started poorly for the Sacramento Kings due to difficulty establishing team chemistry, compounded by injuries to newcomers Bonzi Wells and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

2005: Best Regular-Season Record Since Playoff Appearance in 2005-06 Season

The 2018-19 season was the Sacramento Kings' best regular-season record since their last playoff appearance in the 2005–06 season.

2005: Classic script Kings wordmark used until 2005

The year 1990 marked the last time the classic script "Kings" wordmark was used until 2005.

2006: Began Longest Losing Streak

In 2006, the Kings began a streak of 16 consecutive losing seasons.

2006: Kings Trade Stojaković for Artest and Fire Adelman

In 2006, the Sacramento Kings traded Peja Stojaković for Ron Artest and went 20-9 after the All-Star break. Despite losing to the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, the team decided not to renew head coach Rick Adelman's contract and named Eric Musselman as his replacement.

2006: Musselman Pleads No Contest to DUI Charges

In 2006-07, Sacramento Kings coach Eric Musselman pleaded no contest to DUI charges early in the season.

2006: NBA Adopted Kings' Jersey Template

Since 2006, the NBA has adopted the Kings' back jersey template for the All-Star Game.

2007: Kings Attendance Declines

During the 2007-08 season, the Sacramento Kings went 38-44 and only sold out three games at ARCO Arena, with attendance averaging 13,500 fans per home game.

2007: Kings Miss Playoffs and Fire Musselman

In 2007, the Sacramento Kings missed the NBA playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. Consequently, Eric Musselman was fired in April.

2007: Kings Hire Reggie Theus and Draft Spencer Hawes

In 2007, the Sacramento Kings replaced head coach Eric Musselman with former Kings player Reggie Theus, selected Spencer Hawes with the 10th overall pick in the NBA draft, and acquired Mikki Moore from the New Jersey Nets. Kevin Martin signed a contract extension.

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 for Bobby Jackson, Donté Greene, a future first-round draft pick, cash considerations, Rashad McCants, and Calvin Booth.

2008: Kings uniform style based on 2002-2008 purple uniform

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

2008: Kings Struggle and Fire Theus

During the 2008-09 season, the Sacramento Kings struggled and Reggie Theus was fired mid-season.

2008: Team introduced new style of uniforms

In 2008, the Sacramento Kings introduced a new style of uniforms, switching names with a modernized "Kings" script on the road jersey in black text, and "Sacramento" on the home jersey still in white text.

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

On April 23, 2009, the Sacramento Kings fired interim head coach Kenny Natt and his four assistants, Rex Kalamian, Jason Hamm, Randy Brown, and Bubba Burrage.

2009: Kings Draft Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi

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

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

On April 27, 2010, Tyreke Evans became the first Sacramento-era player to receive 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 of the NBA draft.

2010: Kings honor 1950-51 Rochester Royals with throwback uniforms

During the 2010-11 season, the Kings honored the 1950–51 Rochester Royals championship team by wearing throwback uniforms from that era.

2010: Kings Seek Relocation to Anaheim

In 2010-11, the Sacramento Kings, frustrated by arena progress and dwindling profits, sought relocation to Anaheim. However, the NBA Board of Governors ended the relocation effort.

2011: Black alternate uniform introduced

Before the 2011–12 season a black alternate uniform was introduced, sharing the same template as the home and road uniforms, but with the classic script "Kings" wordmark and silver numbers.

2011: Los Angeles Kings Color Combination until 2011

From 1998 to 2011, the NHL's Los Angeles Kings used the color combination of purple, silver, black, and white.

2011: Kings Trade for Jimmer Fredette in Three-Team Deal

In 2011, the Kings traded for the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette in a three-team deal with the Charlotte Bobcats and the Milwaukee Bucks, receiving John Salmons and sending Beno Udrih. This move was widely criticized. The team also adopted the slogan "Here we rise!" for its marketing campaign.

2012: Kings Draft Thomas Robinson

In the 2012 NBA draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Thomas Robinson out of Kansas.

2012: City uniform inspired by near-relocation in 2012

The 2022–23 "City" uniform featured a gray base and purple trim, and was inspired by the team's near-relocation in 2012 and eventual sale to Vivek Ranadivé. The gray base was taken from exterior of the team's current home, Golden 1 Center.

2012: Half-purple, half-black uniform revived during Hardwood Classics Nights

The half-purple, half-black uniform, featuring checkerboard side panels, which was used as an alternate uniform from 1994 to 1997, was revived for the 2012–13 season during Hardwood Classics Nights.

May 16, 2013: Maloof Family Agrees to Sell Kings to Vivek Ranadivé

On May 16, 2013, the Maloof family agreed to sell the Kings to a group led by Vivek Ranadivé for a then-record NBA franchise valuation of $535 million. The group fought off a rival bid that would have moved the team to Seattle.

May 31, 2013: Sale to Ranadivé Group Finalized

On May 31, 2013, the sale of the Kings to the Ranadivé group was finalized at a record valuation of $534 million, marking the beginning of a new era for the franchise.

September 23, 2013: Shaquille O'Neal Purchases Minority Share of the Kings

On September 23, 2013, Shaquille O'Neal purchased a minority share of the Sacramento Kings, humorously renaming the organization the "Shaqramento Kings".

2013: Kings Select Ben McLemore and Trade Tyreke Evans

In 2013, the Kings selected Ben McLemore in the NBA draft and traded Tyreke Evans to the New Orleans Pelicans in a three-team deal.

2013: Kings Win Season Opener Against Nuggets

In 2013, the Sacramento Kings won their first game of the season against the Denver Nuggets with a score of 90–88.

2014: Michael Malone Fired as Head Coach

After an 11–13 start to the 2014–15 season, Michael Malone was fired as head coach by the Sacramento Kings organization.

2014: Kings Acquire Darren Collison and Nik Stauskas during off-season

During the 2014 off-season, the Sacramento Kings added Darren Collison, Ryan Hollins and Ramon Sessions through free agency signings, as well as drafting Nik Stauskas to complement the Kings' star duo DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay.

2014: Aggressive Off-Season Moves Made After 2014-15 Season

Following the end of Sacramento's 29–53 season for 2014–15, The Kings made aggressive off-season moves in drafting Willie Cauley-Stein and acquiring Rajon Rondo, Kosta Koufos, Marco Belinelli, and Caron Butler in preparation for the 2015–16 season.

2014: Kings make a few tweaks to uniforms

For the 2014–15 season, the Kings made a few tweaks to their home and away uniforms, keeping the 2008-era template and bringing back the 1994–2002 "Kings" script from the primary logo on both uniforms.

2014: Kings wear blue Rochester throwback uniforms

In the 2014-15 season, the Kings wore blue versions of the Rochester throwback uniforms.

January 30, 2015: DeMarcus Cousins Named All-Star

On January 30, 2015, DeMarcus Cousins was named as a Western Conference All-Star, marking the first time a Kings player earned All-Star honors since Brad Miller and Peja Stojaković in 2004.

February 2015: George Karl Replaces Tyrone Corbin as Head Coach

In February 2015, Hall of Fame coach George Karl replaced Tyrone Corbin as the Sacramento Kings head coach.

March 3, 2015: Vlade Divac Appointed Vice President

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

2015: Kings bring back powder blue jerseys for final season at Sleep Train Arena

In 2015, the Kings brought back their mid-1980s powder blue jerseys 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.

May 9, 2016: Dave Joerger Hired as Head Coach

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

June 15, 2016: Kings unveil new uniforms for 2016-17 season

On June 15, 2016, the Kings unveiled their new uniforms for the 2016–17 season, featuring four designs and a logo reminiscent of their 1971–1994 design.

2016: Greek center Papagiannis averages only 2.1 points in the 16 games played

During the 2016-17 season, Greek center Papagiannis, who was selected in the first round of the 2016 draft, averaged only 2.1 points in the 16 games played.

2016: Kings Move into Golden 1 Center and Changes during 2016-17 Season

The 2016–17 season brought several changes, including moving into their new arena, Golden 1 Center, and in the NBA draft, the Kings traded the 8th pick to the Phoenix Suns for the 13th and 28th pick in the draft, as well as the rights to Serbian guard Bogdan Bogdanović

February 20, 2017: DeMarcus Cousins Traded to Pelicans

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

July 10, 2017: Kings Sign Veterans Vince Carter, Zach Randolph, and George Hill

On July 10, 2017, the Sacramento Kings signed veterans Vince Carter, Zach Randolph, and George Hill.

2017: Jerseys to be sponsored by Blue Diamond Growers

Beginning with the 2017–18 season, the Sacramento Kings jerseys will be sponsored by Blue Diamond Growers.

2017: Nike releases special edition 'City' uniform

In 2017, Nike released a special edition 'City' uniform that pays tribute to both local culture and team heritage, featuring a white and powder blue base with red trim, echoing the road uniform colors the team wore from 1985 to 1990.

2017: Kings Finish Season with 27-55 Record

The Sacramento Kings finished the 2017–18 season with a 27–55 record, placing 12th in the Western Conference.

October 17, 2018: Kings Lose Season Opener to Utah Jazz

On October 17, 2018, the Sacramento Kings lost their season opener to the Utah Jazz with a score of 123–117.

2018: Kings tweak 'City' uniforms

For the 2018–19 season, the Kings tweaked the 'City' uniforms, replacing the lion-head logo with the wordmark "Sactown".

2018: McNair Spent Thirteen Years Working under Daryl Morey

With the Houston Rockets, Monte McNair spent thirteen years working under Daryl Morey, serving in various roles; he was most recently named assistant general manager in 2018.

2019: Kings Invited to NBA Bubble

Following the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season, the Sacramento Kings were one of the 22 teams invited to the NBA Bubble.

2019: Kings bring back blue uniforms for 35th season

For the 2019-20 season, the Kings brought back their blue uniforms worn from 1990 to 1994 in commemoration of the franchise's 35th season in Sacramento.

2019: Same uniform design carried over

For the 2019–20 season, the same uniform design was carried over, but with red as the base color and powder blue as the trim color.

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.

September 17, 2020: Monte McNair Hired as General Manager

On September 17, 2020, the Sacramento Kings announced that Houston Rockets executive Monte McNair would be hired as the franchise's new general manager.

October 14, 2020: Additional Hires Announced by Monte McNair

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

2020: "Sactown" theme retained for 2020-21 "City" uniform

The "Sactown" theme was retained for the 2020–21 "City" uniform, but with four design cues taken from prior uniforms.

July 2021: Dyal Capital Invests in the Sacramento 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.

November 22, 2021: Luke Walton fired as head coach

On November 22, 2021, Luke Walton was fired as the Sacramento Kings' head coach after a 6-11 start to the season and was replaced by Alvin Gentry on an interim basis.

2021: Last Hosted All-Star Game

As of 2021, the 1966 NBA All-Star Game was the last time that the franchise hosted an All-Star Game.

2021: Kings Select Davion Mitchell in NBA Draft

In the 2021 NBA draft, the Kings selected Davion Mitchell from Baylor University with the ninth pick.

2021: City uniform features references to previous designs

The 2021–22 "City" uniform featured references of the Kings' previous uniform designs.

May 9, 2022: Mike Brown announced as next head coach

On May 9, 2022, Mike Brown, then associate head coach of the Golden State Warriors, was announced as the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

2022: End of Losing Streak

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

2022: City uniform inspired by near-relocation in 2012

The 2022–23 "City" uniform featured a gray base and purple trim, and was inspired by the team's near-relocation in 2012 and eventual sale to Vivek Ranadivé. The gray base was taken from exterior of the team's current home, Golden 1 Center.

February 24, 2023: Kings beat Clippers in double-overtime in second-highest scoring game in NBA history

On February 24, 2023, the Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in double-overtime with a final score of 176-175, marking the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. Malik Monk scored a career-high 45 points, and De'Aaron Fox added 42 points.

2023: End of 16-Year Playoff Drought

In 2006, the Kings were eliminated in the first round and started a 16-year playoff drought which continued until 2023.

2023: End of Postseason Drought

In 2023, the Kings ended the longest active postseason drought in the four major North American sports, which had started in 2006.

2023: Kings face Warriors in playoffs for first time since joining BAA

In 2023, the Kings faced the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs for the first time since joining the BAA in 1948. The Warriors defeated the Kings in seven games, and the series drew high TV ratings. Draymond Green was suspended for game 3 after stomping on Domantas Sabonis's chest in game 2. There were several violent fan scuffles.

2023: City uniform inspired by Cincinnati Royals

The 2023–24 "City" uniform was heavily inspired by the Cincinnati Royals uniforms worn in the late 1960s, featuring a vertically arranged "Kings" wordmark in a white stripe, red borders, silver sleeve stripes, and blue base.

2023: Kings announce updated uniform set

The Kings announced an updated uniform set ahead of the 2023–24 season. The most notable change was that black became the primary color and purple relegated to accent color, along with a new "Kings" script heavily inspired by the team's uniforms from 1972 to 1994.

2024: Kings unveil classic uniform for 40th season

Ahead of the 2024–25 season, the Kings unveiled their classic uniform as part of the team's 40th season in Sacramento.

2024: Entry Fee Adjusted for Inflation

In 2024, the $25,000 entry fee paid in 1945 to establish the Rochester Royals franchise is equivalent to $436,645 when adjusted for inflation.

2024: Cincinnati theme revisited in 2024-25

The Cincinnati theme was revisited in the 2024–25 "City" uniform, with the "Kings" block lettering based on the team's warmup jackets in the late 1960s.

February 3, 2025: Roster Update

On February 3, 2025, the Kings roster was updated.

February 2025: Kings trade De'Aaron Fox in three-team deal

In February 2025, the Kings completed a three-team trade, sending De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs and acquiring Zach LaVine from the Bulls. Sacramento also received Sidy Cissoko and a 2025 first-rounder from Charlotte.