When you talk about all time kings players, most folks immediately point to that flashy early-2000s squad. You know the one. Chris Webber throwing behind-the-back passes, Peja Stojakovic draining threes from the parking lot, and Vlade Divac basically acting as a 7-foot point guard. It was "The Greatest Show on Court," and it was beautiful.
But here is the thing. The history of this franchise is a weird, winding road that stretches back way before Sacramento ever saw a purple jersey. We’re talking about a team that’s lived in Rochester, Cincinnati, and Kansas City.
If you only look at the Sacramento era, you’re missing the actual GOAT of the franchise. It’s not even close, honestly.
The Big O and the Royals Era
Oscar Robertson is the undisputed king of all time kings players. People forget he played for this franchise because it was called the Cincinnati Royals back then.
Oscar didn't just play basketball; he broke it. In the 1961-62 season, he averaged a triple-double. Think about that for a second. 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game. For a whole year. This wasn't some fluke. He dominated the league for a decade in a Royals jersey, racking up 22,009 points and 7,731 assists.
He's the franchise leader in almost every major offensive category. If you’re building an all-time list and Oscar isn't at the number one spot, you’re doing it wrong.
Then there’s Jerry Lucas. Most people associate "Luke" with the Knicks, but his prime was in Cincinnati. The guy was a rebounding machine. He averaged 19.6 points and 19.1 rebounds over seven seasons with the Royals. Yes, you read that right. Nearly 20 and 20 for seven years.
The 1960s Royals were a statistical juggernaut that just couldn't get past Bill Russell’s Celtics. It’s a classic "wrong place, wrong time" story.
Tiny Archibald and the 70s Shift
Before the team settled in California, they had a stint as the Kansas City-Omaha Kings. This era gave us Nate "Tiny" Archibald.
Tiny did something in 1972-73 that literally nobody else has ever done: he led the NBA in both scoring (34.0 PPG) and assists (11.4 APG) in the same season. It’s one of the most underrated individual achievements in sports history. He was 6-foot-1 and weighed about 150 pounds soaking wet, but he lived in the paint.
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He was the "little man" who proved you didn't need to be a giant to own the court.
The Sacramento Renaissance: Webber and the Boys
Now we get to the stuff you probably remember. The trade that changed everything happened in 1998. The Kings sent Mitch Richmond to Washington for Chris Webber.
At the time, people weren't sure about it. Richmond was "The Rock." He was a six-time All-Star for Sacramento and probably the best pure scorer the city had ever seen. He averaged over 21 points every single year he was there. But the team wasn't winning.
Webber arrived and everything clicked.
C-Webb was the soul of those early 2000s teams. He averaged 23.5 points and 10.6 rebounds during his time in Sacramento. But it wasn't just the stats. It was the style. The Kings played a high-post passing game that was decades ahead of its time.
Vlade Divac was the glue. His stats (11.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG) don't look like much on paper, but his basketball IQ was off the charts. He was the one who made the "Princeton offense" work.
And then there was Peja. Stojakovic was a flamethrower. In 2003-04, he averaged 24.2 points and nearly won the MVP. He finished second in the league in scoring that year. If he played in today’s NBA, he’d probably be taking 15 threes a game and averaging 30.
The Dark Years and Modern Stars
After the Webber era collapsed, things got... bleak. For 16 years, the Kings didn't see a playoff game. It was the longest drought in NBA history.
But we still had talent. DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins was a force of nature. On pure talent alone, he’s one of the best all time kings players to ever lace them up. He put up massive numbers: 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Sadly, the organizational chaos around him meant those stats never translated to wins.
He was a three-time All-Star in Sacramento, but he never got to play a single playoff game in a Kings uniform.
Then came De'Aaron Fox.
Fox changed the vibe. He’s the fastest player I’ve ever seen with the ball in his hands. In 2023, he finally broke the curse, leading the Kings back to the postseason and winning the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award. As of 2025, he’s already moved into the top five in franchise scoring.
He’s the link between the glory days and whatever comes next.
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Forgotten Legends: Sam Lacey and Jack Twyman
We can't talk about the greats without mentioning Sam Lacey. He isn't a household name, but he’s the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (888), rebounds (9,353), steals (950), and blocks (1,098). He was the ultimate "do the dirty work" guy.
And Jack Twyman? The man was a bucket. He averaged 31.2 points in 1959-60. He’s second all-time in scoring for the franchise. More importantly, he was a Hall of Fame human being, famously becoming the legal guardian of teammate Maurice Stokes after Stokes was paralyzed.
What Actually Matters When Ranking These Guys
When you look at all time kings players, you have to balance longevity against peak performance.
- Longevity: Sam Lacey and Oscar Robertson.
- Pure Peak: Nate Archibald (1973) and Chris Webber (2001).
- Cultural Impact: Webber and De'Aaron Fox.
The Kings are a team defined by "what if." What if Webber didn't blow out his knee in 2003? What if the refs called Game 6 differently in 2002? What if Oscar had a better supporting cast in Cincinnati?
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're a fan looking to dive deeper into the history of these players, or even a collector looking for value, here is how you should approach it.
1. Watch the Tape
Don't just look at the box scores. Go to YouTube and find old footage of the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Look at how Webber and Divac moved the ball. Then look up Oscar Robertson's highlights. The "Big O" played a physical, methodical game that still looks modern today.
2. Evaluate "Era-Adjusted" Stats
When you see Jerry Lucas averaging 20 rebounds, remember the pace was much higher in the 60s. However, leading the league in scoring and assists like Archibald did is an era-transcendent feat.
3. Follow the Records
Keep an eye on De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis is currently putting up rebounding and assist numbers that rival the Jerry Lucas and Vlade Divac eras. We are living through another golden age of Kings talent.
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4. Respect the Relocation
To truly understand the all time kings players, you have to embrace the Royals and the Kansas City years. The franchise didn't start in 1985. The rafters in the Golden 1 Center hold jerseys for guys who never played a minute in California, and they earned those spots.
The history of the Kings is often one of heartbreak, but the talent that has passed through this organization—from Cincinnati to Sacramento—is legitimately legendary. Whether it’s the triple-double dominance of Oscar or the "Light the Beam" energy of the current squad, this franchise has always had players who changed how the game is played.