Chris Webber Debut Game 1993

Lore & Background

The franchise began with the Rochester Seagrams (a semi-professional team) from Rochester, New York, that formed in 1923. They joined the National Basketball League in 1945 as the renamed Rochester Royals, winning that league's championship in their first season, 1945–46. In 1948 they jumped to the Basketball Association of America, which later merged with the NBL to form the NBA. As the Royals, the team won the NBA championship in 1951. The team relocated to Cincinnati, becoming the Cincinnati Royals. Before the 1972–73 season, the team relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, and was renamed the Kansas City–Omaha Kings, later truncated to Kansas City Kings. The franchise moved after the 1984–85 season to Sacramento. Their best seasons in Sacramento were in the early 2000s, including a 2001–02 season when they had the best record in the NBA at 61–21. Between 2006 and 2022, the Kings had 16 consecutive losing seasons, the most in NBA history. The franchise has the most losses in NBA history.

In Their Own Story

The fluorescent lights of Arco Arena hummed with a low-frequency buzz that only exists when thousands of fans hold their breath. Chris Webber stood at center court, the white and purple jersey feeling heavier than it looked on the rack. He wiped his hands on his shorts, taking in the sea of faces staring back from the stands. The referee tossed the ball up for the tip-off against Denver's towering centers. As the leather hit the air, a collective gasp rippled through the arena. Webber rose, his timing perfect, tapping the ball to a teammate who immediately looked back to him. In that split second, Sacramento knew: they had their leader.

Reader's Guide

The Kings' history includes the Rochester Royals (1945–1957), Cincinnati Royals (1957–1972), Kansas City–Omaha Kings (1972–1975), Kansas City Kings (1975–1985), and Sacramento Kings (1985–present). The team's only NBA championship came in 1951. The Kings play at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Did You Know?

• The Kings are the oldest team in the NBA.
• The franchise won the NBA championship in 1951 as the Rochester Royals.
• The Kings had 16 consecutive losing seasons from 2006 to 2022, the most in NBA history.
• The franchise has the most losses in NBA history.

Franchise Origins and Early Dominance

The Sacramento Kings trace their lineage back to 1923 with the Rochester Seagrams, a semi-professional squad sponsored by a Canadian distiller. This foundation paved the way for the professional Rochester Royals in 1945, who immediately captured an NBL championship. By pooling significant funds to secure entry fees, the ownership group assembled a roster of returning war veterans and free agents, including future Hall of Famers like Bob Davies and Red Holzman. The team's success continued as they defected to the rival Basketball Association of America in 1948, eventually merging into the NBA. During this formative era, Rochester faced stiff competition from the Minneapolis Lakers but managed to secure the franchise's only NBA title in 1951 by defeating the New York Knicks. Despite on-court excellence and hosting an All-Star Game in 1956, financial struggles in a small market forced the team to leave Rochester after the 1956-57 season.

Geographic Relocations and Identity Shifts

Following their departure from Rochester, the franchise embarked on a series of relocations that defined its early modern history. In 1957, the team moved to Cincinnati, becoming the Cincinnati Royals in an attempt to find profitability in a larger city. However, financial difficulties persisted, leading to another move before the 1972-73 season to Kansas City and Omaha, Missouri. Initially named the Kansas City-Omaha Kings to distinguish themselves from the local baseball team, they eventually shortened their name to the Kansas City Kings while still splitting home games between two cities until 1978. The franchise ultimately failed to find a sustainable market in Kansas City and relocated again after the 1984-85 season to Sacramento, California. This move established them as the first major professional sports team in the city, where they eventually played at the Golden 1 Center.

The Sacramento Era: Peaks and Valleys

Since arriving in Sacramento, the franchise has experienced dramatic fluctuations in performance, ranging from historic highs to unprecedented lows. The early 2000s marked a golden period, particularly during the 2001-02 season when the team achieved an NBA-best record of 61 wins and 21 losses. This era showcased the potential of the franchise in its new home. However, this success was followed by a devastating downturn between 2006 and 2022, during which the Kings endured sixteen consecutive losing seasons, the longest such streak in NBA history. This prolonged period of futility also resulted in the longest active postseason drought among the four major North American sports leagues, lasting from 2006 until their return to the playoffs in 2023.

Historical Significance and Longevity Records

As the oldest team in the National Basketball Association, the Sacramento Kings hold a unique place in professional sports history. Their longevity is underscored by the fact that they have accumulated more losses than any other franchise in NBA history, a statistic born from their century-long existence and extended periods of struggle. The franchise's journey began with semi-professional roots before evolving into a major league powerhouse that won championships in both the NBL and NBA. While the 1951 title remains their sole championship victory, the team has been home to nine Basketball Hall of Famers during its Rochester years alone. Despite the challenges of market size and financial viability throughout various relocations, the Kings remain a testament to the endurance of professional basketball franchises in North America.