1989–90 Sacramento Kings season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Sacramento Kings 1990 23 59 Pacific 7 12 Jerry Reynolds Dick Motta Joseph Benvenuti Gregg Lukenbill ARCO Arena KRBK-TV KFBK Did not qualify SAC The 1989–90 Sacramento Kings season was the 41st season for the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association, and their fifth season in Sacramento, California. Sacramento Kings Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Kings won the NBA draft lottery, and selected power forward Pervis Ellison from the University of Louisville with the first overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft. Goldaper Sam Kings Take Ellison First in N.B.A. Draft; Clippers Pick Ferry The New York Times June 28, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/28/sports/kings-take-ellison-first-in-nba-draft-clippers-pick-ferry.html January 13, 2022 McManis Sam The NBA Draft: The Other Teams: Sacramento's Secret Is Out: It's Ellison Los Angeles Times June 28, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-28-sp-4358-story.html November 23, 2022 1989 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1989.html December 31, 2022 During the off-season, the team acquired former All-Star center Ralph Sampson from the Golden State Warriors, Sports People: Pro Basketball: Warriors Send Sampson to Kings for Petersen. Sports People: Pro Football: Patriots to Start Flutie. Sports People: Pro Hockey: Fuhr Dismisses Agent. Sports People: Sports Museum: Opening in New York The New York Times September 28, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/28/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-warriors-send-sampson-kings-for-petersen-sports.html December 30, 2022 Associated Press Warriors Trade Sampson to Sacramento for Petersen Los Angeles Times September 28, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-28-sp-273-story.html December 30, 2022 and later on signed free agent Greg Kite in November. Kings Put Sampson on Injured List, Sign Kite Deseret News November 26, 1989 https://www.deseret.com/1989/11/26/18834280/kings-put-sampson-on-injured-list-sign-kite/ December 18, 2025 However, during the off-season, the Kings were hit with tragedy when last year's first-round draft pick, Ricky Berry, committed suicide on August 14, 1989, at the age of 24; Berry died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his suburban home in Sacramento, after an argument with his wife, Valerie. Associated Press Pro Athlete Commits Suicide The New York Times August 15, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/15/sports/pro-athlete-commits-suicide.html January 13, 2022 Norwood Robyn Ricky Berry Is Apparent Suicide Victim: Sacramento Kings' Top Pick in 1988 Found Dead of Gunshot Wound Los Angeles Times August 15, 1989 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-15-sp-448-story.html November 25, 2022 Aldridge David Kings' 1988 Top Pick Berry Commits Suicide The Washington Post August 15, 1989 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/08/15/kings-1988-top-pick-berry-commits-suicide/55ea7ebb-447d-464e-80e0-dcd806aab81c/ June 20, 2023 Berry had just completed a stellar rookie season with the Kings, in which he averaged 11.0 points per game, and shot .406 in three-point field-goal percentage in 64 games during the 1988–89 season. 1988–89 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/1989.html December 13, 2025 Regular season Prior to the start of the regular season, Ellison underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot and ankle, then later on suffered tendinitis in the toe on his right foot, as he only appeared in just 34 games. Sports People: Basketball: Surgery for Ellison The New York Times September 26, 1989 https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/26/sports/sports-people-basketball-surgery-for-ellison.html December 18, 2025 Kings Activate Ellison United Press International February 23, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/02/23/Kings-activate-Ellison/6729635749200/ December 18, 2025 Ellison's Ankle Not Ready for Prime-Time Playing The Baltimore Sun November 4, 1990 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1990/11/04/ellisons-ankle-not-ready-for-prime-time-playing-2/ December 18, 2025 After a 6–10 start to the season, the Kings struggled and posted a 10-game losing streak in December. Head coach Jerry Reynolds was fired after a 7–21 start to the season, and was replaced with former Dallas Mavericks coach Dick Motta, who came out of his retirement. Results Plus The New York Times January 5, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/05/sports/results-plus-363990.html December 18, 2025 Sports People: Pro Basketball: Kings Lure Motta Out of Retirement The New York Times January 5, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/05/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-kings-lure-motta-out-of-retirement.html December 18, 2025 Motta Returns to NBA as Coach at Sacramento Los Angeles Times January 5, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-05-sp-277-story.html December 18, 2025 The Kings posted a six-game losing streak between January and February, and held a 12–34 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1990 December 13, 2025 At mid-season, the team traded Kenny Smith to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Antoine Carr, and Sedric Toney. Kings Trade Smith and Williams to Atlanta United Press International February 13, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/02/13/Kings-trade-Smith-and-Williams-to-Atlanta/3714634885200/ December 31, 2022 Hawks' Carr to Kings The New York Times February 14, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/14/sports/hawks-carr-to-kings.html December 31, 2021 Hawks Deal for Guard Kenny Smith Los Angeles Times February 14, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-14-sp-659-story.html December 31, 2022 The Kings lost 13 of their final 14 games of the season, which included a seven-game losing streak between March and April, and six straight losses to close the season, finishing in last place in the Pacific Division with a 23–59 record. 1989–90 Sacramento Kings Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/1990_games.html January 13, 2022 Wayman Tisdale averaged 22.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while Carr averaged 18.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in 33 games after the trade, and Danny Ainge provided the team with 17.9 points, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and also led them with 108 three-point field goals. In addition, Rodney McCray provided with 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, while second-year guard Vinny Del Negro contributed 9.7 points and 3.3 assists per game, and Harold Pressley averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Ellison averaged 8.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, Toney contributed 5.5 points and 3.8 assists per game in 32 games, but only shot .320 in field-goal percentage, Sampson provided with 4.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in only just 26 games, and Kite averaged 3.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. 1989–90 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/1990.html December 13, 2025 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, and before the mid-season trade, Smith participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. NBA All-Star Weekend The Hour February 9, 1990 32 https://books.google.com/books?id=jSBJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA17&dq=1990+NBA+long+distance+shootout+roster&article_id=5995,1340443&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiz4_vxrJ-QAxWa6ckDHUiUEScQ6AF6BAgPEAM#v=onepage&q=1990%20NBA%20long%20distance%20shootout%20roster&f=false October 12, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html October 12, 2025 Carr finished in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting. 1989–90 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.html December 7, 2025 The Kings finished seventh in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 697,667 at the ARCO Arena II during the regular season. 1989–90 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1990.html February 24, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Ellison was traded to the Washington Bullets in an off-season three-team trade, and after only one season with the Kings, Brady Jim Bullets, Jazz, Kings Make Three-Way Deal United Press International June 25, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/06/25/Bullets-Jazz-Kings-make-three-way-deal/7287646286400/ December 17, 2025 Associated Press Bullets Get Pervis Ellison in Three-Way Trade: Pro Basketball: Jeff Malone Goes to Jazz, with Hansen and Leckner Going to Sacramento. Nets Deal for Theus, Meaning They Will Probably Pick Coleman Los Angeles Times June 26, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-26-sp-595-story.html December 17, 2025 Aldridge David Bullets Trade Malone in 3-Team Deal for Ellison The Washington Post June 26, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/06/26/bullets-trade-malone-in-3-team-deal-for-ellison/dca3921a-84f4-47c9-97d8-eb065716ba18/ December 17, 2025 while Ainge was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, Associated Press A Trading Flurry Uncapped in NBA: Basketball: Ainge Goes to Portland, Schayes to Milwaukee, Pressey to San Antonio, Bol to Philadelphia After Salary Cap Raised by Nearly $2 Million Los Angeles Times August 2, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-02-sp-1396-story.html?_amp=true November 25, 2022 Hente Karl As Salary Cap Rises, Players Fly Around NBA The Washington Post August 2, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/08/02/as-salary-cap-rises-players-fly-around-nba/95fad02d-0ad3-41df-b07a-f2f7f60f69dc/ November 25, 2022 Goldaper Sam Resurgence for Ainge as Blazer The New York Times December 26, 1990 https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/26/sports/resurgence-for-ainge-as-blazer.html November 25, 2022 and McCray was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks. Wilbon Michael This Could Be a Veteran's Moving Day The Washington Post June 27, 1990 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/06/27/this-could-be-a-veterans-moving-day/181af23a-06c1-4eda-b29d-64cbd3b128f9/ December 31, 2022 Love Ian Kings Believe in 1990 Draft Class United Press International June 28, 1990 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/06/28/Kings-believe-in-1990-draft-class/8182646545600/ December 31, 2022 Associated Press Kings Knew What They Were Doing Deseret News July 1, 1990 https://www.deseret.com/1990/7/1/18869770/kings-knew-what-they-were-doing December 31, 2022 Meanwhile, Kite signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic, Times Wire Services Sidelines: Orlando Magic Signs Kite Los Angeles Times August 15, 1990 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-15-sp-838-story.html December 18, 2025 Kite Signs Deal with Magic Deseret News August 15, 1990 https://www.deseret.com/1990/8/15/18876394/kite-signs-deal-with-magic/ December 18, 2025 and Del Negro, Pressley and Toney were all released to free agency. Draft picks 1989 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 1 Pervis Ellison C/PF Louisville Roster Sacramento Kings 1989–90 #1C4BA0 #FFFFFF #CC2D5C #FFFFFF 7 Danny Ainge G 6 4 175 1959–03–17 Brigham Young 33 Randy Allen basketball G 6 8 220 1965–01–26 Florida State 35 Antoine Carr F/C 6 9 225 1961–07–23 Wichita State 15 Vinny Del Negro G 6 4 185 1966–08–09 North Carolina State 42 Pervis Ellison F/C 6 9 210 1967–04–03 Louisville 2 Michael Jackson basketball G 6 2 183 1964–07–13 Georgetown 32 Greg Kite C 6 11 250 1961–08–05 Brigham Young 22 Rodney McCray basketball F 6 7 220 1961–08–29 Louisville 21 Harold Pressley F 6 7 210 1963–07–14 Villanova 50 Ralph Sampson C 7 4 228 1960–07–07 Virginia 23 Wayman Tisdale F/C 6 9 240 1964–06–09 Oklahoma 11 Sedric Toney G 6 2 178 1962–04–13 Dayton 4 Henry Turner basketball F 6 7 200 1966–04–18 Fullerton Dick Motta Ed Gregory Herman Kull Regular season Season standings SAC SAC z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGRodney McCray basketball 82 82 39.5 .515 .262 .784 8.2 4.6 .7 .9 16.6Wayman Tisdale 79 79 37.2 .525 .000 .783 7.5 1.4 .7 .7 22.3Vinny Del Negro 76 29 24.4 .462 .313 .871 2.6 3.3 .8 .1 9.7Danny Ainge 75 68 36.4 .438 .374 .831 4.3 6.0 1.5 .2 17.9Harold Pressley 72 10 22.3 .424 .311 .780 4.3 2.1 .8 .5 8.8Greg Kite 71 47 21.3 .432 1.000 .500 5.3 1.1 .4 .7 3.2Randy Allen basketball 63 6 11.8 .444 .000 .535 2.2 .4 .3 .3 3.7Kenny Smith† 46 46 38.0 .461 .373 .809 2.6 6.6 1.2 .2 15.0Henry Turner basketball 36 1 8.8 .475 .000 .615 1.4 .6 .5 .2 4.3Pervis Ellison 34 22 25.5 .442 .000 .628 5.8 1.9 .5 1.7 8.0Antoine Carr† 33 4 28.0 .482 .000 .806 5.2 2.0 .5 1.0 18.6Sedric Toney† 32 9 21.3 .320 .320 .793 1.4 3.8 .7 .0 5.5Ralph Sampson 26 7 16.0 .372 .250 .522 3.2 1.1 .5 .8 4.2Michael Jackson basketball 17 0 3.4 .273 .500 .500 .4 .5 .3 .0 .6Mike Williams basketball† 16 0 5.5 .429 .000 .500 1.4 .1 .2 .4 .9Greg Stokes 11 0 3.1 .111 1.000 .5 .0 .0 .0 .4 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only. Player statistics citation: References See also 1989-90 NBA season Category:Sacramento Kings seasons Sacramento Sacramento Sacramento