The Sacramento Kings recently set the record for most consecutive seasons with a losing record after losing their 42nd game. The franchise has struggled massively over the years, with poor roster decisions, a coaching carousel and some ill-advised draft picks. I mean, who can forget that the Kings passed up on both Luka Doncic and Steph Curry?
The Kings pulled off a massive trade in the middle of the season, acquiring Domantas Sabonis from the Indiana Pacers in a deal that saw them send Tyrese Haliburton the other way. There were a few more players involved in the transaction and they also added Justin Holiday and Donte DiVincenzo to the roster. These were considered win-now moves by a franchise that had spent too much time losing.
Sabonis is a multiple-time All-Star and pairing him up with De’Aaron Fox was supposed to be a massive boost for the Kings. However, things haven’t quite panned out that way, as their record since the trade stands at a dismal 3-10 as pointed out by u/NovaKash on Reddit. This is the same record the Pacers hold, although they have acquired a piece for the future from the Kings in Tyrese Haliburton.
While this isn’t the end of the world and the Kings can still enjoy a strong run to end the season before preparing and retooling for next season, it will have been a massive disappointment as Sabonis is already on the cusp of his prime at 25 years of age. Betting on him instead of a prospect in Haliburton who was committed to helping the organization may prove to be a mistake that costs them in the long run.
The Kings have a 24-43 record, and are 4.5 games behind the resurgent New Orleans Pelicans in the final play-in spot, it would take a miracle for them to get something out of this season. The decision to bring in Sabonis for Haliburton raised quite a few eyebrows around the league and the Kings need to at least make the playoffs next season for it to have paid off.
