Being a Sacramento Kings fan is tough, just ask comedian Hasan Minhaj. Despite the franchise’s struggles and holding the longest playoff drought in NBA history (from 2006 to 2022), Minhaj’s loyalty hasn’t wavered. The Kings haven’t won a championship since 1951—back when they were the Rochester Royals—yet Minhaj’s support remains steadfast, even if it means laughing through the pain. He compares the experience to the launch of a new government website: “Sounds good in theory… it’s not gonna work in practice.”
But this season, the Kings have something they haven’t had in a while: a roster that might be capable of closing out close games. They were already solid in clutch-time scenarios last season, finishing 12th in clutch-time net rating (+2.7). Leading the charge was De’Aaron Fox, who became the NBA’s first-ever Clutch Player of the Year in 2023. With 122 points in clutch situations, Fox proved he could thrive when the stakes were high, but even his efforts only pushed the Kings to a 20-19 record in close games.
Now, the Kings have added DeMar DeRozan to the mix. A veteran in crunch-time heroics, DeRozan scored the second-most clutch points last season, just behind Steph Curry. Since 2019-20, he’s been a consistent top-four clutch scorer, meaning the Kings now boast two of the league’s best closers. Imagine Fox and DeRozan sharing the floor, taking turns in the final minutes. It’s a game-changing addition that could transform the Kings into a Western Conference contender.
So, could this finally be the season that breaks Sacramento’s infamous curse? With DeRozan’s steady hand and Fox’s lightning-quick late-game moves, the Kings have all the makings of a serious playoff threat.
What do you think? Can Fox and DeRozan lead the Kings to glory, or is heartbreak inevitable for Sacramento fans? Let us know in the comments!