The Long Game: What the Kings Can Learn from the NBA’s Rebuilding Blueprints
There's a growing chorus among Sacramento Kings fans calling for the team to embrace the tank. And look - in the NBA, tanking has a track record.
It’s not pretty, it’s not fun, but when done right, it works. The problem?
It’s rarely quick, and it’s never guaranteed.
The league has made it harder to bottom out with purpose. Flattened lottery odds mean finishing dead last doesn’t guarantee the top pick, and keeping fans engaged during a multi-year rebuild is its own kind of challenge.
But perhaps the biggest hurdle of all: patience. Rebuilds often take longer than expected, and even when the pieces are in place, it takes time for them to gel.
So, what does a successful rebuild look like in today’s NBA? Let’s look at four franchises the Kings are believed to be modeling their own process after - and how long it took each one to go from teardown to takeoff.
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Blueprint for a Modern Rebuild
If there’s a gold standard for rebuilding in the modern NBA, it’s Oklahoma City. After a decade of playoff appearances, the Thunder hit reset.
They slid to 22 wins in 2020-21, then 24 the following season. But by 2022-23, they were back in the mix with 40 wins and a Play-In berth.
The key? Strategic drafting and a front office that knows how to turn assets into more assets.
During this stretch, they added Aaron Wiggins, Josh Giddey, Jaylin and Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. But the roots of this rebuild actually trace back to their Seattle days, when they acquired a first-round pick from Phoenix just for taking on Kurt Thomas’s contract - a pick that became Serge Ibaka.
Ibaka begat Oladipo and Sabonis, who begat Paul George, who begat Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
That’s the kind of long-view roster construction that turns a rebuild into a title. And it worked.
After their Play-In season, the Thunder leapt to 57 wins, then 68, and capped it off with an NBA championship. Oh, and they’re still holding four first-round picks in the 2026 Draft.
**Time from rebuild to results: 3 years. **
That’s fast. But it took careful planning, savvy trades, and a whole lot of patience.
Detroit Pistons: A Grind Toward Respectability
Detroit’s rebuild has been more of a slow burn. Between 2016 and 2019, the Pistons hovered around .500 - good enough to stay relevant, not good enough to contend. Head coach Dwane Casey eventually pushed for a full reset, and the front office obliged.
They missed on Killian Hayes at No. 7 in 2020, but struck gold a year later, winning the lottery and drafting Cade Cunningham. Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson followed, but the results didn’t come overnight. The Pistons slogged through five straight losing seasons - including a brutal 14-win campaign - before finally breaking through with a 30-win improvement last year.
That 44-win season earned them a playoff spot, and while they bowed out in the first round, they’ve carried that momentum into this season, sitting atop the Eastern Conference through November.
**Time from rebuild to results: 5 years. **
Detroit’s not done yet, but they’ve finally turned the corner. And interestingly, they’re also being floated as a potential trade partner for Sacramento - a sign that both teams are thinking strategically about their next steps.
Portland Trail Blazers: Still in the Woods
Portland’s rebuild has been messier. After eight straight playoff appearances behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Blazers pulled the plug. But they’ve yet to find consistent footing.
Since 2021, they’ve posted win totals of 27, 33, 21, and 36. They traded Lillard, then brought him back, and are now hoping Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson can develop into a dynamic backcourt of the future. They’ve added young pieces like Donovan Clingan, Hansen Yang, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Jrue Holiday - a group with defensive upside and athleticism to spare.
But they’re still waiting for it all to click. Legal issues surrounding head coach Chauncey Billups haven’t helped the cause.
Time from rebuild to results: 5 years and counting.
Portland’s still in the thick of it, and while they’ve got some promising talent, they haven’t posted a winning season since 2020-21.
San Antonio Spurs: Betting Big on the Future
From 1997 to 2019, the Spurs were the model of consistency - five championships and 22 straight playoff appearances. But since then, it’s been a different story. No more than 34 wins in any of the last six seasons.
The upside? They’ve been able to stockpile talent through the lottery.
Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper headline a young core that’s starting to look like the foundation of something special. And last year’s trade with the Kings to acquire De’Aaron Fox - a move that didn’t cost them much - added a proven star to the mix.
**Time from rebuild to results: 6 years and counting. **
But Year 7 is shaping up to be the breakthrough. The Spurs are positioned to make a leap, and the pieces are finally starting to fit.
So… What Does This Mean for Sacramento?
Here’s the reality: Rebuilding isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. But if the Kings are serious about resetting, there are a few key takeaways from these case studies:
**1. It’s going to take time.
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Even the fastest turnaround - Oklahoma City - took three seasons to go from the bottom to the top.
For most teams, five or six years is more realistic. That’s a long stretch to stay patient, but it’s the price of doing it right.
**2. You need a foundational piece.
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Whether it’s Shai in OKC, Cade in Detroit, or Wemby in San Antonio, every rebuild hinges on finding that guy.
The Kings need to identify and acquire their cornerstone - whether through the draft, trade, or free agency - and build around him.
**3. The draft alone isn’t enough.
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Draft picks are important, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle.
Trades, player development, and smart signings are just as critical. The Thunder didn’t just draft well - they manipulated the asset game like pros.
The Spurs added Fox at the right time. The Kings will need similar foresight.
The bottom line? Sacramento’s path won’t be easy, and it won’t be quick. But if they play it right - with vision, patience, and smart decision-making - they can build something real.
Maybe this holiday season brings more than just gifts under the tree for Kings fans. Maybe it brings a sense of direction - and a glimpse of the future they’ve been waiting for.
Stay tuned. The journey’s just beginning.