Why the Sacramento Kings Deserve a Christmas Game This Year

August is almost here, which means we’re getting closer to when the NBA releases its regular season schedule (usually sometime between August 16th and 20th). Every year, one of the biggest days on the schedule is December 25th, aka Christmas. For years, the NBA has dominated Christmas in the sports world (although that may soon change), so it’s a huge honor to have your team play on that day.

I am not naive enough to believe that my humble opinion as an NBA journalist is not powerful enough to sway the league one way or the other. But I do believe that our Sacramento Kings should be on the Christmas schedule this year.

One reason the Kings should play on Christmas Day is that it’s been ages since they’ve had a game on the holiday. The last time the Kings were on the Christmas Day roster was in 2003, when Sacramento lost 111-103 to the Dallas Mavericks. The only other time they’ve played on December 25th in franchise history was the year before that (2002).

I have three big reasons why the Kings should play on Christmas Day. First, they’re a good basketball team. Over the last two years, they’ve averaged 47 wins in a loaded Western Conference, despite two of their best players (Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter) suffering season-ending injuries last year.

Now, with another year of improvement for Keon Ellis and Keegan Murray and the addition of DeMar DeRozan to the roster, the Kings appear poised to be even better in 2024-25. The league might as well seize that opportunity while it still can.

Speaking of the DeRozan acquisition, the second reason the Kings should play on Christmas Day is that they were involved in one of the biggest deals of the season (yes, it was a sign-and-trade, but it was still a deal).

So far, the only other deal involving a player in DeRozan’s league is the Dejounte Murray deal that sent him from the Atlanta Hawks to the New Orleans Pelicans. With all Christmas Day games being nationally televised, the Kings’ placement on that day will give the basketball world a chance to see one of the biggest stars to switch teams this offseason reunite with his new club.

Finally, the Kings should be part of the Christmas Day festivities because they are just plain fun. Their uniforms are cool. They play an up-tempo style of basketball that is beautiful to watch. And when the game is at home, the fans at Golden One Arena are some of the best in the club.

I’ve always said the NBA is better when the Kings are relevant. So come on NBA League Office, let’s put them on Christmas Day this year.