The Sacramento Kings, who are good now, no longer have the longest active playoff drought in major American professional sports.
As my colleague, Mike Sykes, wrote: Sacramento might suddenly be a legitimate threat to make the NBA Finals. Now that the Kings have officially clinched their first playoff berth since 2006, the New York Jets have taken over as the team that can’t quite make it to the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have taken over that title from the Kings in the NBA. Led by Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum, the Hornets last earned a spot in the playoffs back in 2017.
The Sacramento Kings, after 16 seasons in a row out of the NBA postseason, have tonight clinched their first playoff berth since 2005-06.
The Charlotte Hornets now sport the NBA's longest active playoff drought: Six seasons including this one.
More NBA: https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 30, 2023
Of course, an appearance in 2017 is far more recent than Sacramento’s previous record in 2006.
But it’s still not a good look for the Hornets. It’s especially bad when you remember the Hornets are a team (presently) owned by Michael Jodan, a player considered the greatest of all time.
Jordan is reportedly in “serious talks” to sell a majority stake in the franchise to Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin and Hawks minority owner Rick Schnall.
If the transaction happens, hopefully, the new ownership group can help turn this team around. Charlotte is currently borderline negligent when it comes to roster management.
Jordan has looked dejected by the organization recently and a change could be necessary so they don’t remain on the outside looking in at the contenders in the Eastern Conference.
The good news is that they have decent odds to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and could then select Victor Wembanyana. As five-time NBA Champion Magic Johnson told For The Win, the prospect is the type of prospect who could change his franchise forever.
