The Kings 2018-19 season ended with optimism.
Facing a meager over / under of 25.5 wins, Sacramento rose to 39 – his best record in 13 years. Under Dave Joerger, the Kings played a fast and fun style. De’Aaron Fox has made historic improvements. Buddy Hield broke out. Many other young players have shown promise.
Sure, the Kings lost the playoffs for the thirteenth straight season, equaling the second longest playoff drought in NBA history. But they were well on their way to ending the drift soon enough.
Except, of course, it didn’t happen that way in Sacramento.
The Kings were eliminated yesterday from the post-season chase, ensuring a 14th consecutive season out of the playoffs. This alone is now the NBA’s second longest post-season drought ever, breaking a tie with the Timberwolves (2005-17). Only the Buffalo Braves / San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1977-91) 15-year no playoff series is longer.
Here are the longest post-season dry spells in NBA history:
The Suns may still make 10 consecutive years out of the playoffs, but they are still in contention this season.
Kings may not be far from climbing this list either.
Their future looks much bleaker than a year ago. Sacramento fired Joerger to hire Luke Walton, who he disappointed. Buddy Hield signed a lucrative contract extension, then had a tough season. Fox has progressed, even if it hasn’t made the desired leap to stardom. Other young players have had their ups and downs. Luka Doncic casts an even bigger shadow from Dallas. The organizational turmoil of the Kings continues.
This was a bad season in Sacramento anyway. All previous defeats only add to the misery.
The Kings enter next season with one last chance to avoid the longest playoff drought in NBA history, and they have a chance. But now there is only pessimism.
