Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings represent California's capital in the NBA's Western Conference, boasting one of the league's most passionate and loyal fanbases despite decades of playoff drought. Playing at the Golden 1 Center, a state-of-the-art arena that opened in 2016 and helped keep the team in Sacramento, the Kings have finally returned to relevance. De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have formed one of the league's most exciting duos, leading Sacramento back to the playoffs in 2023 after a 16-year absence—the longest in NBA history. The Kings' up-tempo, entertaining style has made them must-watch television and restored pride to a fanbase that never stopped believing. Sacramento's basketball community, starved for success, has embraced this new era with enthusiasm that rivals any fanbase in professional sports.

One of the NBA's oldest franchises, the Kings began as the Rochester Royals in 1945, winning the 1951 championship with a roster that included Hall of Famers Bob Davies and Arnie Risen. The franchise moved to Cincinnati, then Kansas City, before settling in Sacramento in 1985 and building a devoted following in California's capital. The early 2000s Kings, featuring Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, and Vlade Divac, played beautiful basketball and came agonizingly close to the Finals, most controversially losing to the Lakers in a 2002 Western Conference Finals remembered for questionable officiating. That era's failure to win a championship despite elite talent began a drought that lasted until 2023, testing the patience of even the most loyal fans. The current Kings renaissance has rekindled hope that Sacramento can finally add a championship banner during their California era.