It’s no secret that Kevin Huerter’s final season-plus with the Sacramento Kings didn’t go as smoothly as his first with the organization.
After bursting onto the scene with the inaugural Beam Team in 2022-23 and posting career-highs in point per game, field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, and made triples in a single season, it looked as if the Kings had their long-term shooting guard locked in next to franchise point guard De’Aaron Fox.
How things have changed in Sacramento.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a three-point basket in overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2023 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Huerter’s 2023-24 season included inconsistency on the offensive end, shortcomings on the defensive end, multiple changes from the starting lineup to the bench, and a shoulder injury that sidelined him through the final weeks of the postseason push.
Entering training camp this past October, it seemed like ‘Red Velvet’ was on his way out as trade rumors circulated. Whispers regarding Huerter’s lack of contentedness under former head coach Mike Brown grew louder, especially once the guard was moved to the bench once again–first for defensive guard Keon Ellis, then Malik Monk.
Brown was fired in December, but the damage had already been done.
Fox, who was outspoken about only wanting to play for Brown if his career were to continue in Sacramento, was traded to San Antonio in a blockbuster trade that brought star guard Zach LaVine to the 916. Huerter was included in the deal, heading to Chicago for a fresh start after struggling to replicate his production from his first season in a Kings uniform.
After starting his Bulls tenure in a reserve role, Huerter was moved into the Chicago starting lineup on March 13th by head coach Billy Donovan, where he has returned to his 2022-23 form since.
Entering play on Thursday night, Huerter held averages of 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from three-point range in five starting opportunities with his new team.
Shots have started falling for Huerter again, and a matchup against his former team at Golden 1 Center only added to those impressive numbers.
Huerter made his return to Sacramento on Thursday, receiving a warm ovation from Kings fans during pregame introductions in what was the latest return of a former player in recent weeks, joining Fox and Harrison Barnes, who played at G1C on March 7th.
Unlike Fox and Barnes in their visit to Sacramento, Huerter caught fire, scoring a season-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field and five-of-nine from deep to go along with five rebounds, seven assists, and four steals during a 128-116 win over the Kings.
Allow @KevinHuerter to reintroduce himself!
25 points
5 rebounds
7 assists
4 steals
10/16 FG
5/9 3-PT pic.twitter.com/hpJhCfd1vW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 21, 2025
Huerter took over late, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a final dagger that sent fans for the exits with 1:59 to go and Sacramento trailing by 12 points.
The 26-year-old turned to the crowd and appeared to soak in the atmosphere as Chicago put the finishing touches on a 19-point comeback win, and if you thought Huerter was out for revenge–you were right.
“100 percent a revenge game,” Huerter said with a smile postgame. “So that felt good. Felt good to get the W.”
While Huerter wanted to have a strong performance to get back at the franchise that traded him just over a month ago, he had nothing but good things to say about the Kings fanbase.
”It was nice to hear. I’ve always loved the fans here. I hope they continue to love me. I’ve said it before, this is a city that loves their team and it was awesome playing here,” Huerter said of Sacramento’s fanbase.
“I said it after the game on TV with the Bulls. It’s a Thursday night on a back-to-back, and this place was sold out. That’s what this fan base continues to bring. It was a fun game, great to hear the warm reception, and still have a lot of people here both with the team and working for the team that I’ll keep in touch with.”
Kevin Huerter didn’t even try to pretend tonight wasn’t about revenge against the Sacramento Kings. 👇 pic.twitter.com/uS7tSFjmB7
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) March 21, 2025
More on Kevin Huerter & the Sacramento Kings
If you anticipated a Kevin Huerter revenge game in his first matchup against the Sacramento Kings since being traded, your hunch was correct.
Huerter, who made his return to Golden 1 Center after being included in the three-team trade that brought Zach LaVine to the Kings and sent De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio, established a new Chicago Bulls career-high of 25 points to go along with four rebounds and seven assists to lead his team to a 128-116 win on Thursday night.
Sacramento was riding high off a surprising win over the NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers one night prior and appeared to be well on their way to another victory in this one, but a 19-point lead quickly turned into a deficit after Chicago turned the tables once play entered the second half.
The Kings (35-34) squandered an opportunity to pad its lead over the Phoenix Suns for the ninth seed spot in the Western Conference standings but instead dropped its advantage to 2.5 games with 13 contests to go.
A Jekyll & Hyde season continues for Sacramento, and the past 24 hours of basketball clearly encapsulate the roller-coaster of emotions this team has endured.
Huerter torches Kings in return to G1C as Bulls complete comeback
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue its season-long seven-game homestand against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
Milwaukee handed Sacramento a 130-115 loss on January 14th at the Fiserv Forum, thanks to 33 points and 13 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Sacramento is 1-16 against the Bucks.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks drama right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 5:30 PM PT on Game Night before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.
Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings
Saturday, March 22nd – vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 7:00 PM PT
Monday, March 24th – vs. Boston Celtics – 7:00 PM PT
Tuesday, March 25th – vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – 7:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 27th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, March 29th – @ Orlando Magic – 2:00 PM PT
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