Over a year ago, the Sacramento Kings kicked off the worst timeline by trading De'Aaron Fox and ending up with Zach LaVine. As bad as that trade was, it might turn out to be the best move the Kings have made, as it also jump-started the long-overdue rebuild Sacramento has desperately needed.
The Kings have long been one of the worst franchises in the league. After losing in the first round in the 2006 NBA Playoffs, Sacramento didn't see the postseason again until 2023. They also got knocked out in the first round that year. And they've missed out every year since.
It's been two decades of patience for Kings' fans as they hope the franchise will finally make something of itself. There was some potential when Vivek Ranadive became a co-owner in 2013. That hasn't amounted to much as the Kings continued to make bad decision after bad decision.
The 2025-2026 season was arguably the bottom of the barrel. Sacramento is the worst team in the Western Conference and suffered the longest losing streak in franchise history. It all started with the Fox/LaVine trade. At the same time, that trade was a catalyst for real change on the Kings.
Sacramento finally started a long-needed rebuild
Shortly after Fox left the Kings, the general manager was fired and replaced with Scott Perry. Since pretty much day one, he has pushed hard for a long-term rebuild project that will bring in younger, more versatile players with a stronger defensive identity than previous iterations of the team.
None of that would have happened if Fox were still on the team. The combination of Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray would have continued to limp along, occasionally sneaking into the Playoffs through the Play-In, but having no real impact in the postseason.
The promise that trio held was enough to keep the Kings from diving full steam into a rebuild process, one that has been needed for 10 to 15 years. Fox's departure caused the Kings to sink even lower, something no one thought to be possible, and forced Sacramento to finally embark on the rebuild.
Moving to the Spurs has been incredible for Fox, a level of success he has earned. The Kings have made several moves in the last year that have the potential to pay off in a big way in the future. For once, there is actual, real potential in the Kings' locker room. They now have to build on it.