Sacramento Kings
There’s one more California-based NBA franchise that Leonard could join: the Sacramento Kings.
Though they were a playoff contender on paper, the Kings just wrapped up one of their most embarrassing seasons in franchise history. For a franchise that was once the unrivaled laughingstock of the NBA, that says a lot. Unfortunately, none of it is hyperbolic. At 22-60, they were tied with the Utah Jazz —a team actively trying to lose –for the worst record in the West. This despite the fact they had at least two players bound for the Hall of Fame (DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook) and two others with multiple All-Star selections (Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine).
Frankly, all they’ve done since ending a 16-year postseason drought in 2023 is move backwards. All the same, there’s enough star power to at least Leonard’s attention. Furthermore, though they’re seen as one of the league’s ne’er do well franchise, they genuinely want to be a good team. They’ve mismanaged their personnel and resources but at least it wasn’t for lack of trying. All of that being said, the Kings’ reputation isn’t much different from what the Clippers had been prior to the Lob City Era. For better and for worse, Leonard could look at leading Sacramento to a ring as a challenge that’s similar to his current situation.
