The Sacramento Kings are one of the NBA’s oldest franchises, with a history dating back to 1923 when they were founded as the Rochester Seagrams. They later became the Rochester Royals and won an NBA championship in 1951 before relocating several times, eventually settling in Sacramento in 1985. Despite their long history, the Kings have faced more struggles than successes, but their passionate fan base has remained loyal through it all.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Kings experienced their greatest era, becoming one of the most exciting teams in the league. Led by Chris Webber, Peja Stojaković, Vlade Divac, and Mike Bibby, the Kings played a fast-paced, team-oriented style under coach Rick Adelman. They were perennial contenders in the Western Conference and came close to reaching the NBA Finals in 2002, but a controversial playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers ended their championship hopes.
After that era ended, the Kings fell into a long playoff drought, missing the postseason for 16 straight seasons, the longest in NBA history. Coaching changes, roster instability, and front-office struggles kept the team from finding sustained success. However, in 2022, the Kings returned to the playoffs behind the leadership of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, signaling a new beginning for the franchise.
With a strong young core and a renewed sense of optimism, the Kings are once again a competitive team in the Western Conference. Their dedicated fan base, known as one of the most passionate in the league, continues to support the team through ups and downs. As they build for the future, Sacramento aims to establish itself as a consistent contender and chase its first championship in over 70 years.