Record 55–27 (.671) | Arena ARCO Arena | |
Playoff finish West Conference Semifinals(eliminated 0-4) Television Fox Sports Net Bay Area, KMAX | ||
The 2000–01 NBA season was the Kings' 52nd season in the NBA and 16th in Sacramento. During the offseason, the Kings acquired shooting guard Doug Christie from the Toronto Raptors and signed free agent Bobby Jackson. After two straight playoff seasons, the Kings would make it into the NBA's elite status by challenging the Pacific Division all season, falling just one game short with a solid 55–27 record. Chris Webber and Vlade Divac were both selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, while first round draft pick Hedo Turkoglu made the All-Rookie Second Team. In the first round of the playoffs, the Kings would win their first playoff series in 20 years by beating the Phoenix Suns in four games, but were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals. Following the season, Jason Williams was traded along with Nick Anderson to the Memphis Grizzlies, and Jon Barry was traded to the Detroit Pistons.
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Offseason
In the NBA draft, the Kings drafted Hedo Türkoğlu and Jabari Smith. Türkoğlu's tenure with the Kings lasted three seasons, while Smith's stint lasted 21 games. Smith would return to Sacramento in the 2003–04 season.
During the offseason, the Kings did not make many transactions. On August 1, the Kings signed guard Bobby Jackson. Jackson would be a reliable bench player during his tenure in Sacramento, and he would win the Sixth Man of the Year Award for the 2002–03 season.
On September 30, the Kings traded combo forward Corliss Williamson to the Toronto Raptors for Doug Christie. Christie would be the starting shooting guard for the Kings for his entire tenure with the team.
On October 20, the Kings waived center Jerome James. James had missed all of the previous season due to a knee injury.
z – clinched division titley – clinched division titlex – clinched playoff spotWest First Round
(3) Sacramento Kings vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference Semifinals (Kings won 4-3, then in Kansas City, Missouri)
West Conference Semifinals
(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Sacramento Kings Last Playoff Meeting: 2000 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-2)