It's nearly August, which means we are getting closer to when the NBA releases the schedule for the regular season (they typically release it sometime between August 16-20). Every year, one of the biggest days on the schedule is December 25 – aka Christmas Day. For years, the NBA has dominated Christmas in the sports world (although that may be changing soon). So, having your team play on that day is a huge honor.
I am not naive enough to believe that my humble opinion as an NBA journalist is not powerful enough to sway the league one way or the other. But I do believe that our Sacramento Kings should be on the Christmas Day schedule this year.
When Was The Last Time The Kings Played on Christmas Day?
One reason the Kings should play on Christmas Day is that it has been forever since they had a game on that holiday. The last time the Kings were featured on the Christmas Day slate was 2003 – when Sacramento lost to the Dallas Mavericks 111-103. The only other time they have played on December 25 in their franchise's history is the year before that (2002).
Why The Kings Should Play On Christmas Day?
I have three main reasons why the Kings should play on Christmas Day. First, they are a good basketball team. Over the last two years, they have averaged 47 wins in a loaded Western Conference despite two of their best players (Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter) suffering season-ending injuries last year.
Now, with another year for Keon Ellis and Keegan Murray to improve and the addition of DeMar DeRozan to the fold, the Kings are poised to be even better in 2024-25. The league better jump on that opportunity while they can.
Speaking of the DeRozan acquisition, the second reason the Kings should play on Christmas Day is that they were a part of one of the biggest trades of the season (yes, it was a sign-and-trade, but it was still a trade, nonetheless).
So far, the only other trade that features a player in DeRozan's tier of player is the Dejounte Murray deal that sent him from the Atlanta Hawks to the New Orleans Pelicans. Being that all Christmas Day games are nationally televised, putting the Kings on that day will give the basketball world a chance to see one of the biggest stars who changed teams this offseason on his new club.
Lastly, the Kings should be a part of the Christmas Day festivities because they are just flat-out fun. Their jerseys are cool. They play an up-tempo brand of basketball that is very pretty to watch. And if the game is at home, the fans at Golden One Arena are some of the best in the association.
I've always said the NBA is better when the Kings are relevant. So, come on NBA league office, let's put them on Christmas Day this year.