The Sacramento Kings haven’t won an NBA Championship since becoming the Kings in 1985. However, the Kings have had elite players to have worn purple and black. Who is on the Mount Rushmore of the Sacramento Kings?
The Mount Rushmore of The Sacramento Kings
4. Demarcus Cousins
Former Kings big man DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins went fifth overall in the 2010 draft to the Kings. Cousins spent seven seasons in California’s capital city and immediately made an impact in the NBA. The former Kentucky big man earned first-team All-Rookie honors by having averaged 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds.
Furthermore, Cousins accumulated four consecutive All-Star appearances and made two All-NBA teams, respectively. As a member of the Kings, Cousins averaged 21.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3 assists in 470 games. Cousins who stands at 6-foot-10, 270Ibs, was known for his elite scoring and his supreme skillset as a power forward/center.
3. Mitch Richmond
Former Kings shooting guard Mitch Richmond arrives at number three on the list. Richmond played for the Golden State Warriors before having came to the Kings in 1991. As a member of the Kings, Richmond earned five All-NBA nods, six consecutive All-Star selections, and averaged 23.3 points and 4.1 assists.
Richmond led the Kings to the postseason once during his tenure, but his impact on the franchise was still purposeful. The Kings retired Richmond’s jersey number (2) in 2003 and was the first Kings player to ever have his jersey retired in franchise history.
2. Chris Webber
Furthermore, former Kings forward Chris Webber is widely regarded as one of the best Kings players in history. As a member of the Kings, Webber earned four consecutive All-Star nods, five All-NBA teams, and won the rebounding title in 1999. Moreover, the 1993 number one overall pick led the Kings to the Western Conference Finals in 2002 (loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers).
Notably, the Kings lost to the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal Lakers in the playoffs three times during LA’s three-peat. The Webber-lead Kings were one of the best teams of the 2000s and they could have won or at least made the NBA Finals if it weren’t for the Lakers. In the early 2000s, the Kings notably won 55-plus games four times including a 61-win season in 2001-02. Webber had constant battles with injuries throughout his fifteen-year career, but his career peak was with the Kings. The 6-foot-10 big man averaged 23.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 377 games with Sacramento.
1. Oscar Robertson
Hall of Fame guard Oscar Robertson lands at number one on the Mount Rushmore of the Kings franchise. Robertson played for the Kings when the franchise was named the Cincinnati Royals. As a member of the Kings (Royals), Robertson earned the Rookie of the Year award, eleven All-Star appearances, nine First-Team All-NBA nods, led the league in assists six times, and won the MVP in 1964. He notably averaged a triple-double in the 1961-62 season. Robertson spent ten seasons (1960-1970) with the Kings (Royals) and averaged 29.3 points, 10.3 assists, and 8.5 rebounds during his tenure. The 6-foot-5 guard was effective in multiple ways and his impact warrants his positioning as the best Kings player in history.
The Last Word
The Kings haven’t won an NBA title under the “Sacramento Kings” banner, but the franchise is currently in good hands with premier players such as De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and newly added All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan at the forefront.
