Editing Sacramento Kings (section)

====2004–2006: Decline====
[[File:2005 Sacramento Kings.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The Sacramento Kings in 2005]]
The [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]] marked change for the Kings, who lost three starters from the famed 2002 team. In the off-season of 2004, Divac signed with the Lakers, which prompted the Kings to sign [[Brad Miller (basketball)|Brad Miller]] to start at center. Early in the season, Christie was traded to the [[Orlando Magic]] for Cuttino Mobley, and in February, Webber was traded to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] for three forwards ([[Corliss Williamson]], [[Kenny Thomas (basketball)|Kenny Thomas]], and [[Brian Skinner]]). Thomas and Skinner failed in their attempt to replicate Webber's impact, and as a result the team's record suffered. The Kings lost in the first round of the playoffs to the [[Seattle SuperSonics]]. The 2005 off-season continued with changes, when they traded fan-favorite [[Bobby Jackson (basketball)|Bobby Jackson]] for [[Bonzi Wells]] and acquired free agent [[Shareef Abdur-Rahim]].

The 2005–06 season started poorly since the Kings had a hard time establishing team chemistry. Newcomers Wells and Abdur-Rahim made major contributions early, but both were injured and missed a significant number of games. As the Kings' season continued, general manager Petrie decided to make a major move. Stojaković was traded for [[Ron Artest]], a talented yet volatile forward known for his temper. Despite doubts that he would be able to replace the huge production of Stojaković, Artest and the Kings went 20–9 after the 2006 NBA All-Star break, the second best post-All-Star break record that season. Despite a winning record of 44–38, it was clear that they were not the same team of years past. The Kings were seeded 8th in the Western Conference playoffs and were matched up in the first round against the San Antonio Spurs. Though the Kings were surprisingly competitive, the Spurs eliminated them 4–2. This was the end of their era of competitiveness and started a 16-year playoff drought which continued until 2023. The 2006 off-season began with the disturbing news that head coach Rick Adelman's contract would not be renewed. The Kings named Eric Musselman as his replacement.