For many Sacramento Kings fans, this year’s NBA Finals will be difficult to watch.
One year after the Kings fired head coach Mike Brown and traded franchise cornerstone De’Aaron Fox, both are now competing on basketball’s biggest stage.
Brown has led the New York Knicks to the Finals, while Fox and former Kings forward Harrison Barnes helped the San Antonio Spurs reach the championship series.
At first glance, it’s another painful chapter for a franchise coming off a disastrous 22-60 season. But according to Sactown Sports’ Matt George and Kayla Anderson, this uncomfortable reality could ultimately be a positive development for the Sacramento Kings.
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George believes the Finals should serve as a wake-up call for the organization.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 05: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after their 126-125 win over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I think the second step is acknowledging the ick, acknowledging your mistakes, acknowledging your failures as a franchise, learning, growing from them, and ultimately getting past them,” George said.
The hosts argued that Sacramento’s leadership cannot ignore the optics of watching former players and coaches succeed elsewhere. Instead, the Finals should compel the organization to evaluate where things went wrong and how to avoid repeating them.
“You need to learn from that,” Anderson said. “The organization needs to be learning from this moment.”
That lesson starts with accountability. Anderson stressed that the Kings must “look themselves in the mirror with accountability” and figure out “how not to do that in the future, and how to better our organization.”
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The encouraging part for Sacramento is that ownership may have already taken the first step. The hiring of general manager Scott Perry was repeatedly highlighted as a potential turning point for the franchise.
George called Perry “the most experienced general manager” that owner Vivek Ranadive has hired and argued that this NBA Finals experience should reinforce the importance of trusting him.
“If you can’t learn from this, if you can’t see that the decisions that you have made and been a part of have directly led to this, and your way just has not worked, then you’re never going to learn,” George said.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Mike Brown of the Sacramento Kings reacts alongside De'Aaron Fox #5 during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on January 16, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Kings 119-117. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Rather than dwelling on what could have been, the Sacramento Kings have an opportunity to use this moment as fuel for change. The Finals spotlight is exposing past mistakes, but it is also highlighting a potential path forward.
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As George put it, “We cannot move on until the organization moves forward.”
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.
Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?
The Sacramento Kings are preparing for a crucial 2026 NBA Draft, which is set to take place from Tuesday, June 23rd, through Wednesday, June 24th.
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Sacramento owns the 7th pick in the Draft, giving them a chance at selecting a talented player with upside, such as Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler, among others.
Be sure to stay locked into Sactown Sports for pre-draft workout news, player breakdowns, draft rumors and MUCH more.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule
Tuesday, June 23rd – NBA Draft (Round 1)
Wednesday, June 24th – NBA Draft (Round 2)
Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official
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