Sacramento Kings Owner Vivek Ranadive Roasts Players and Coaches at Team Dinner

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive took sharp, sarcastic jabs at his own staff and players, reminding them of their past professional failures during a formal team dinner, according to prominent NBA insider Zach Lowe.

According to Lowe, the event was attended by the entire roster, the coaching staff, and front-office executives. In his speech, Ranadive reportedly roasted a large portion of the room, detailing their shortcomings and previous career disappointments across playing, coaching, and managerial roles.

"I checked with people within the Kings, and they confirmed the general picture of what took place. Some were quite unsettled and felt the speech completely fell flat. Others took a more pragmatic view, believing Ranadive was merely using media criticism and outside mockery as a motivational tool, sending the message: 'This is what's being said about you out there. Go out and prove them wrong,'" Lowe revealed.

In 2023, Sacramento snapped a 16-year postseason drought to reach the playoffs, but the team's trajectory has since taken a sharp downturn. Last season proved disastrous for the Kings, who finished second to last in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record.