The NBA was officially founded in 1946, eventually becoming the premier basketball league in the world. Over the decades, many teams joined, while others folded or merged.
Just three years later, in 1949, it merged with its rival, the National Basketball League (NBL), to officially become the NBA we know today.
Over time, the NBA evolved, with weaker franchises shutting down while new teams were added, until it became a global sports powerhouse with 30 teams across the United States and Canada. Among the oldest of these franchises are the Sacramento Kings.
Why Are the Sacramento Kings the Oldest Team in the NBA?
Although the NBA was officially established in 1946, the roots of the Sacramento Kings trace back to 1923 — more than 100 years of continuous history. Unlike many teams that merged or disappeared, the Kings endured, becoming a living symbol of basketball’s legacy.
Their story stretches nearly a century, predating the NBA itself, standing as a witness to the evolution of professional basketball in the United States. From the small gyms of Rochester to the passionate fan base in Sacramento, the Kings’ journey has been one of resilience, reinvention, and survival.
The Kings’ history mirrors basketball’s own growth: from a local game in small halls to a global phenomenon. Despite long stretches of struggle, the Kings remain a cornerstone of the NBA, carrying a full century of tradition and heritage into every game they play today.
Beginnings: The Rochester Era
The Kings’ origins date back to 1923, when they were founded as a semi-professional team called the Rochester Seagrams. In the 1930s and 1940s, they became the Rochester Royals and joined the National Basketball League (NBL).
In 1948, the Royals joined the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Just a year later, the BAA merged with the NBL to form the NBA. The Royals thus became one of the founding members of the new league, cementing their place as pioneers of professional basketball.
Kings Championships
In 1951, the Rochester Royals reached the pinnacle, winning their first — and only — NBA Championship. Led by legends like Arnie Risen and Bob Davies, they defeated the New York Knicks in a thrilling seven-game series.
Although the franchise has never won another title, that early championship remains a landmark achievement in league history.
Relocations and Identity Changes
Few franchises in American sports have experienced as many relocations as the Kings:
1957: The team moved from Rochester to Cincinnati, where the legendary Oscar Robertson rose to stardom.
1972: Relocated to Kansas City–Omaha, rebranded as the Kansas City Kings, and later shortened to just Kansas City Kings in 1975.
1985: The final move to Sacramento, California, where the team still resides today.
Despite these transitions, the Kings’ identity remained connected to their roots, making them the oldest continuously operating franchise in the NBA.
The Sacramento Era: Passion and Struggles
When the Kings arrived in Sacramento in 1985, they brought the NBA to a city that had never hosted a major league team before. The fans embraced them with extraordinary loyalty, and the early 2000s became a golden era.
With stars like Chris Webber, Peja Stojaković, Vlade Divac, and Mike Bibby, the Kings played dazzling offensive basketball.
In 2002, they came within reach of the NBA Finals, but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in a controversial seven-game series that many still consider the most disputed playoff moment in NBA history.
Read also: Who has the most NBA champions of all time?
The Longest Playoff Drought
After their golden years, the team fell into decline. From 2006 to 2023, the Kings endured the longest playoff drought in NBA history — 16 consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance.
Yet, Sacramento fans remained some of the most loyal and passionate in the league, keeping their home arena one of the loudest. The drought finally ended in 2023, led by the rise of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, sparking an emotional return to the playoffs.
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Famous Kings Players
Over the decades, many of basketball’s greatest stars have worn the Kings jersey:
Oscar Robertson – “The Big O”, the first player to average a triple-double over a full season.
Jerry Lucas – An elite scorer and rebounder of the 1960s.
Tiny Archibald – One of the league’s best guards in the 1970s.
Chris Webber – The leader of Sacramento’s legendary early-2000s team.
