1996–97 Sacramento Kings season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the Kings' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 12th season in Sacramento. During the offseason, the Kings acquired Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf from the Denver Nuggets. Coming off their first playoff appearance in ten years, expectations in Sacramento were high. However, the Kings struggled with an 8–17 start as Brian Grant played just 24 games due to a shoulder injury. The Kings would rebound to get back into playoff connection with a 28–32 record. However, they went on a 7-game losing streak in March as head coach Garry St. Jean was fired, and replaced with assistant Eddie Jordan. The Kings finished sixth in the Pacific Division with a 34–48 record, missing the playoffs by just two games. Mitch Richmond finished fifth in the league in scoring averaging 25.9 points per game, while being selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game.
Following the season, Grant signed as a free agent with the Portland Trail Blazers, second-year guard Tyus Edney signed with the Boston Celtics, Duane Causwell was traded to the Miami Heat, and Lionel Simmons and Kevin Gamble both retired.Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 14 | Peja Stojaković | SF | | |
| 2 | 41 | Jason Sasser | SF | | Texas Tech |
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Player statistics
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
