The Sacramento Kings are off to one of their worst starts to a season in franchise history–but they’ve been here before.
Sacramento will enter play on Wednesday night in Houston with a record of 5-16, putting them on pace to finish the season at 20-62, which would be the Kings’ worst season since 2008-09.
Speaking of the 17-win 2008-09 Kings, Carmichael Dave and Jason Ross went down memory lane (or, maybe nightmare lane is more fitting?) and looked back on each 5-16 start during the Sacramento era.
Here’s how those seasons unfolded and who the Kings ended up with in the following NBA Drafts:
Familiar Territory: 5-16 Starts in Sacramento Kings History (1985-present)
This is now the sixth time in the Sacramento Era that the Kings have started a season 5-16. Here are the other five seasons:
1987-88: Finished the season 24-58
The Kings’ pick would have been #6, but it went to the Clippers in a previous trade (they took Hersey Hawkins). The Sacramento Kings’ picks in the draft were Ricky Berry and Vinny Del Negro.
1988-89: Finished the season 27-55
The Kings secured the #1 pick and took Pervis Ellison. Ellison went on to average 8.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during his lone season with Sacramento before being traded to Washington.
1993-94: Finished the season 28-54
Sacramento drew the #8 pick, took Brian Grant, then selected Michael Smith and Lawrence Funderburke.
2008-09: Finished the season 17-65
The Kings had the league’s worst record but didn’t get the top pick in the draft lottery (the Clippers, who selected Blake Griffin). Sacramento got the #4 pick and took Tyreke Evans, then selected Omri Casspi and Jeff Ayers.
2010-11: Finished the season 24-58
The Kings got the #7 pick, took Bismack Biyombo, Tyler Honeycutt, and Isaiah Thomas. They traded Biyombo and Beno Udrih as part of a three-team trade, and got back John Salmons & Jimmer Fredette.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
Anyone who keeps up with the NBA knows who Russell Westbrook is. Currently in his 18th season, Westbrook (37) has earned an MVP award, nine All-Star and All-NBA appearances, and is a two-time scoring champ and three-time assist champ.
With the most triple-doubles in NBA history, including four seasons of averaging a triple-double, he was an obvious selection for the 75th anniversary team as well. Now playing for the Sacramento Kings, he has teammates who are well aware of his impressive history.
Read more below:
Russell Westbrook’s malleable skillset on display in year 18
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will hit the road for a three-stop road trip that begins Wednesday night in Houston.
Sacramento will face the Rockets for the first time this season, a team that is off to a strong start and enters play against the Kings with a top-five seed in the loaded Western Conference.
Last season, Sacramento swept the season series (3-0) against Houston, winning the lone matchup at Toyota Center by a final of 113-103 on March 1st behind 21 points from DeMar DeRozan.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from Houston, Texas.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, December 3rd – @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 6th – @ Miami Heat – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, December 8th – @ Indiana Pacers – 4:00 PM PT
Thursday, December 11th – vs. Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, December 14th – @ Minnesota Timberwolves – 4:00 PM PT
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