The Kings and their passionate fan base have had 17 long years to take notes and collect receipts.
Former NBA player Richard Jefferson became their latest target Saturday.
Before Game 1 of the Kings-Warriors first-round NBA playoff series at Golden 1 Center, a video resurfaced on Twitter of Jefferson’s initial take on the Kings' blockbuster 2022 trade package that centered on rising star guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Pacers for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis.
Malika Andrews asked Jefferson in the ESPN “NBA Today” clip if the move put the Kings in playoff contention. Before answering, Jefferson -- and the rest of the cast -- burst out laughing.
“No! God, no!” Jefferson responded as he, Andrews, Zach Lowe and JJ Redick continued to chuckle.
Those comments came back to bite Jefferson one year later, and the ESPN analyst admitted Sunday that he had to eat his words while sending a congratulatory message to the Kings.
Sabonis was a huge part of the Kings' return to the playoffs, as the Western Conference's No. 3 seed, leading the league in double-doubles (65) and rebounds (12.3 per game) this season. He also averaged 19.1 points on an incredible 61.5 percent shooting from the field and 7.3 assists in 79 regular-season games.
To Jefferson's point, though, the Kings did add game-changing players during the offseason. Kevin Huerter (15.2 points, 2.9 assists per game) and Malik Monk (13.5 points, 3.9 assists per game) provided veteran depth to the backcourt, Keegan Murray broke records in his first NBA season, and first-year Kings coach Mike Brown unlocked De'Aaron Fox's All-Star potential (25 points per game on a career-high 51.3 shooting from the field).
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The Kings beat the defending NBA champions in Game 1 -- just another accomplishment that had many people take a step back and admit, "Wow, I was wrong." Sure, it's early and, yes, it's a best-of-seven series, but Sacramento has proven people wrong all season. There's no reason to believe they can't do the same in the playoffs.