The NBA’s ongoing concern over tanking has once again surfaced, but for former players and analysts like Kayte Christensen, the issue can’t be discussed in isolation—especially when it comes to small-market teams like the Sacramento Kings.
While teams such as the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards have drawn scrutiny for creative approaches to lineup management late in games, the current NBC Sports California analyst argued the league needs to take a broader view of why tanking exists in the first place.
“You’re concerned about tanking,” Christensen said in an interview this week on The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross. “But at the end of the day, what the fan base wants is for their team to be good, play at a high level, and have a legitimate shot to compete.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Nique Clifford #5 of the Sacramento Kings in action against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Christensen says the conversation often ignores the structural disadvantages faced by smaller markets, including Sacramento, that don’t have the same access to elite free agents as glamour franchises.
The Kings have notoriously been swept aside as a free agent destination over the years, as stars will often look to join contenders or head to more desireable locations from a geographical standpoint.
“If you’re going to talk about tanking, then you should probably talk about market size,” Christensen said. “There are some teams in this league that never have to worry about tanking because they’re such a draw for free agents. They have an advantage that the majority of the other teams do not.”
For teams like the Sacramento Kings–owner of the NBA’s worst record–Christensen emphasized that the draft and player development are not just part of the process—they’re often the only viable path to sustained success.
Kings general manager Scott Perry was open during his press conference following last week’s NBA trade deadline, stating that the upcoming NBA Draft is “extremely important” for Sacramento.
“Draft capital is extremely important. This is a big draft for us coming up,” Perry said last Friday. “Maybe the silver lining is that we get a high enough pick to get a difference-maker when the time comes.”
Christensen shares Perry’s views, adding that teams like the Sacramento Kings have no choice but to hit in the draft because no big-name free agents are walking through the Golden 1 Center doors any time soon.
“When your only real possibility of building a championship contender comes from the draft and development, it’s a little bit different than a Boston or a Lakers,” Christensen said. “You don’t have the same opportunities to get better.”
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: (R-L) DeMar DeRozan #10, Domantas Sabonis #11, and Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings sit on the bench at the end of the game in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks in othe NBA play-in tournament game at Golden 1 Center on April 16, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
That reality complicates how tanking should be evaluated, especially when injuries and lineup decisions pile up, as they have for Sacramento this season.
“So you want to penalize teams that are trying to get better,” Christensen continued, “but they don’t have the same opportunities to build a contender as some of these other teams in the league.”
Christensen also pointed out that the Sacramento Kings are far from alone, referencing Washington’s approach when Sacramento faced them earlier in the season and noted that Utah’s strategy—playing starters for most of the game before pulling them late—has become increasingly common across the league.
“A lot of teams are doing it,” Christensen said. “They’re trying to appease the league, but also say, ‘Hey, we’re trying to build something here, and we don’t have the same advantages as everyone else.’”
For Christensen, the issue isn’t whether tanking exists—it’s whether the league is willing to acknowledge why it persists, particularly for franchises like the Kings that must operate within a far more limited margin for error.
“You’re trying to follow the rules,” Christensen said, “but you’re also trying to figure out a way to legitimately give yourself a chance to build something long term.”
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Sacramento Kings broadcaster for NBC Sports’ Kayte Christensen at the top of this page, or on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube channel.
Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
Click here for full episodes of The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will return from the All-Star break on Thursday, February 19th, and face the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center.
Last season, Orlando swept the season series vs. Sacramento (2-0).
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Orlando Magic action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 7:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, February 19th vs. Orlando Magic – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, February 21st @ San Antonio Spurs – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, February 23rd @ Memphis Grizzlies – 5:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 25th – @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 26th @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
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