1996–97 Sacramento Kings season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 48th season for the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association, and their 12th season in Sacramento, California. During the off-season, the Kings acquired Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf from the Denver Nuggets, and signed free agent Jeff Grayer in January. Coming off their first playoff appearance in ten years, expectations in Sacramento were high. However, the Kings struggled with an 8–17 start to the regular season, as Brian Grant only played just 24 games due to a shoulder injury, and Billy Owens missed 16 games early into the season with a groin injury. The Kings would rebound to get back into playoff contention, holding a 21–28 record at the All-Star break.

However, after holding a 28–32 record as of March 5, 1997, the team went on a 7-game losing streak as head coach Garry St. Jean was fired, and replaced with assistant Eddie Jordan for the remainder of the season. The Kings finished in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a 34–48 record, missing the NBA playoffs by finishing just two games behind the 8th-seeded Los Angeles Clippers.

Mitch Richmond averaged 25.9 points and 1.5 steals per game, led the Kings with 204 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, finished tied in thirteenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, and was also selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition, Abdul-Rauf finished second on the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game, while Olden Polynice provided the team with 12.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, second-year forward Corliss Williamson showed improvement averaging 11.6 points per game, Owens provided with 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Grant contributed 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Michael Smith was the team's starting power forward in Grant's absence, averaging 6.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, and second-year guard Tyus Edney contributed 6.9 points and 3.2 assists per game off the bench.

Following the season, Grant signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers, while Edney signed with the Boston Celtics, Duane Causwell was traded to the Miami Heat, Grayer was released to free agency, and Lionel Simmons retired due to knee surgery, after playing seven seasons in the NBA with the Kings.