Arena ARCO Arena Playoff finish DNQ | Record 23–59 (.280) | |
Head coach Jerry Reynolds
Dick Motta Place Division: 7th (Pacific)
Conference: 12th (Western) | ||
The 1989-90 NBA season was the Kings' 41st season in the National Basketball Association and 5th in Sacramento. Prior to the start of the season, the Kings were hit with tragedy as Ricky Berry, who had just completed a solid rookie season committed suicide after an argument with his wife. The Kings won the Draft Lottery and selected Pervis Ellison out of Louisville with the first overall pick of the 1989 NBA draft, while acquiring Ralph Sampson from the Golden State Warriors. However, injuries limited Ellison to just 34 games. After a 7–21 start to the season, head coach Jerry Reynolds was fired and replaced with Dick Motta. At midseason, Kenny Smith was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Antoine Carr as the Kings finished last place in the Pacific Division with a 23–59 record. Following the season, Ellison was traded to the Washington Bullets, and Danny Ainge was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers.