Category: Sacramento Kings Blog

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Sacramento Kings sign Davion Mitchell to his rookie contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed rookie guard Davion Mitchell to a contract, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

“We are thrilled to welcome Davion to the Kings family,” said McNair. “His ability to score, facilitate and defend, combined with great character, elite work ethic and competitive makeup, represents exactly what we will continue to build in Sacramento.”

The ninth overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft garnered averages of 14.0 points (.511 FG%, .447 3pt%, .641 FT%), 2.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 33.0 minutes per game in 30 games (all starts) during his junior season at Baylor (2020-21). Mitchell led the Bears to the first National Championship in program history, along with the university’s first Final Four since 1950. In addition, Mitchell swept the 2020-21 National Defensive Player of the Year honors, winning Naismith and NABC Defensive Player of the Year and Lefty Driesell Award.

The Hinesville, Georgia native earned both 2021 NCAA All-Tournament Team and NCAA All-American honors. In back-to-back seasons, Mitchell was selected to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2019-20, 2020-21). He also was named 2021 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the first in program history, along with 2020 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

Sacramento Kings hire Doug Christie as assistant coach

The Sacramento Kings have hired Doug Christie as an assistant coach.

“It’s been a dream of mine to coach for the Sacramento Kings,” said Christie. “I feel like I have some unfinished business. I’d like to thank my family at NBC Sports California as well as KHTK for an amazing ride. I look forward to working with Coach Walton to deliver a winning team to the great fans of Sacramento.”

“Doug has been a pillar within the Sacramento Kings organization for decades,” said Walton. “I’m excited to add his years of basketball knowledge and energy to our coaching staff and our great group of players.”

Christie played 14 seasons in the NBA and played for seven teams, including the Sacramento Kings from 2000-2005 and was named to NBA All-Defensive First team in 2003 and named NBA All-Defensive Second team in 2001, 2002, and 2004 as he helped Sacramento reach the postseason in each of his five seasons with the Kings. Christie is the Sacramento-era leader in career steals (717) and is also second on the all-time leaders list in career steals for the Toronto Raptors (664).

Since retirement he has trained athletes on every level, studied the game and it’s fundamentals meticulously, which has led him to a revolutionary approach with Mind, Body and Sport. The 14-year NBA veteran attended Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Wash., where he led the Vikings to their first state basketball championship in 1988. After graduating from Rainier Beach, Christie headed south to Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., where he played three seasons for the Waves from 1989-92. Christie ranks third in career steals (168) in program history and was won back-to-back WCC Player of the Year awards (1990-92).

Sacramento Kings extend qualifying offer to Terence Davis II

The Sacramento Kings have extended a qualifying offer to guard Terence Davis II, making him a restricted free agent, General Manager Monte McNair announced today.

By extending a qualifying offer to Davis, Sacramento obtains the Right of First Refusal on any offer sheet he may sign with another team.

Acquired by the Kings on March 25, 2021, Davis averaged 11.1 points (.442 FG%, .372 3pt%, .784 FT%), 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 21.5 minutes per game in 27 games for Sacramento.

Sacramento Kings draft workout update

With the draft rapidly approaching, some player prospect workouts are announced, while others only come out as reports. As for the Sacramento Kings, here’s the Sacramento Bee:

Stanford small forward Ziaire Williams is one of the biggest mysteries in this year’s NBA Draft. He shined as a five-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon High School, but lost some luster in his lone college season during a pandemic year when many people struggled to do anything with any normalcy.

The Kings are among the NBA teams evaluating Williams’ game as the July 29 draft draws near. A league source told The Sacramento Bee that Williams participated in a pre-draft workout Wednesday in Sacramento, giving the Kings an opportunity to assess his upside as a pro prospect.

Williams is no longer projected as a top-10 pick, but he could be an intriguing option if the Kings trade back from No. 9 or acquire another first-round pick.

Sacramento Kings basketball staff promotions

The Sacramento Kings announced staff updates within the basketball operations department ahead of the 2021-22 NBA regular season, including the promotions of Paul Johnson to Vice President of Player Development (in addition to his current role as Stockton Kings General Manager), Jonah Herscu to Sacramento Kings Assistant Coach, Rahsaan Gethers to Director of Media Relations, Penny Chatzis to Director of Team Player Development, Robbie Lemons to Director of Basketball Operations and Akachi Okugo to Stockton Kings Assistant Coach.

“Today we are announcing a number of promotions within the Kings basketball operations department,” said Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “Over the course of our first and unique season together, many in the department deserve recognition for their contributions. I am pleased to congratulate Paul, Jonah, Rahsaan, Penny, Robbie and Akachi on their promotions.”

Johnson joined the organization in 2020 as Director of Basketball Operations and General Manager of Sacramento’s G League affiliate Stockton Kings, where he has led Stockton’s front office with involvement in multiple aspects of Kings basketball operations. With more than eight years of experience in the NBA, Johnson served as the Assistant General Manager of the G League’s Oklahoma City Blue prior to his arrival in Sacramento. Additionally, Johnson was Pro Evaluation Coordinator for the Oklahoma City Thunder and a Referee Operations Analyst with the NBA. Johnson played collegiate basketball at La Salle University in the Atlantic 10 Conference where he served as team captain.

Herscu has served as Advance Scout with Sacramento for the past two seasons since joining the Kings in 2019. Previously, Jonah spent three seasons as an advance scout and player development assistant (2018-19) with the Los Angeles Lakers, along with assistant video coordinator (2016-18). Herscu carries 13 seasons of professional experience having worked in the NBA, NBA G League and WNBA as either an assistant coach or video coordinator. Herscu began his career with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2013, and was also an assistant coach for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. Additionally, he has served in the video department for the Chicago Bulls.

Gethers has served eight seasons with the Kings. He has most recently worked with current Kings Director of Media Relations Alexander Sigua on basketball communications strategies, arranging interviews and attending to media. He has also been responsible for producing all sports information for all games, practices and offseason publications. The Colorado native started as a game night staff member of the Nuggets media department for three seasons, prior to becoming an intern with Denver. Gethers is a 2008 graduate of the University of Arizona.

Chatzis has served four seasons with the Kings, most recently as Executive Assistant to Kings General Manager Monte McNair and as Player Services Administrator. Chatzis supports all areas of basketball administration and proactively manages the day-to-day needs of the Kings front office. Penny has also been responsible for overseeing Player Services and Player Relations, which includes the onboarding of players into the organization, while also assisting with community integration. Chatzis also supports the management of player community appearances.

Lemons has served for five seasons with the Kings, starting his career as Scouting Coordinator and Basketball Operations Coordinator. In a hybrid role, Lemons has provided support to several branches of basketball operations, including the analytics, scouting and strategy departments. Before joining the Kings, Lemons graduated with honors from Stanford University in 2015 with a BA in Economics and a MA in Public Policy. He played on Stanford’s basketball team (2010-14) and was awarded First Team Pac-12 All Academic Selection and the Pac-12 Leadership Award.

Okugo previously served for four seasons in player development with Sacramento and Stockton. Prior to that, he served for two seasons as an assistant player development coach. A graduate of California State University, San Marcos, Okugo was a member of the men’s basketball team and ranks second in school history for three-point field goals made. Okugo also played at Grand Canyon University, and earned First Team All-State of California honors at Yuba City Community College. He received Most Valuable Player honors in the Bay Valley Conference.

In G League, Stockton Kings name Bobby Jackson new head coach

The Sacramento Kings today named assistant coach and Kings legend Bobby Jackson as head coach of the team’s NBA G League affiliate, Stockton Kings.

Jackson becomes head coach having spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach/player development coach for the Sacramento Kings under head coach Luke Walton. Jackson spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant player development coach and the previous three seasons as a collegiate scout for the organization. He has also served as a regional scout and player development coach for the Kings (2010-2012) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2013).

“We are thrilled to have Bobby lead our G League team and continue its development towards our future,” said Sacramento Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “Bobby has been a mainstay in the Kings organization for more than two decades contributing his relentless hard work, valuable knowledge and mentorship over time.”

“I am excited to be in lockstep with Bobby in the development of the Stockton Kings,” said Sacramento Kings Director of Basketball Operations and Stockton Kings General Manager Paul Johnson. “Bobby is a consummate professional and we are looking forward to getting to work.”

As a member of the Kings, the Salisbury, North Carolina native played six seasons accruing averages of 10.6 points (.440 FG%, .356 3pt%, .810 FT%), 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 22.7 minutes per game through 365 career games in the Capital City, punctuated by winning the 2003 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Over the course of 12 seasons in the NBA, Jackson posted averages of 9.7 points (.417 FG%, .354 3pt%, .793 FT%), 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.98 steals and 22.2 minutes per contest in 755 games (started 143), for six teams: Denver (1997-98), Minnesota (1998-2000), Sacramento (2000-05 & 2008-09), Memphis (2005-06), New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (2006-08) and Houston (2008).

Prior to his professional career, Jackson led the University of Minnesota to the school’s only Final Four appearance, posting 15.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists en route to earning 1997 Second Team All-American and Big 10 Player of the Year honors.

Kings rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton out with knee hyperextension

Results of the MRI revealed no ligament damage for Sacramento Kings rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton, multiple medical opinions confirmed.

The injury occurred at the 7:30 mark of the third quarter during Sunday’s game at Dallas. Haliburton is diagnosed with a hyperextension of the left knee. No surgery is required.

The team says they expect Tyrese will make a full recovery and participate in normal offseason training.

He is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.

During his rookie campaign, Haliburton has garnered averages of 13.0 points (.472 FG%, .409 3pt%, .857 FT%), 3.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 30.1 minutes per game through 58 games (20 starts) for the Kings.

Kings sign forward Louis King to two-way contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed forward Louis King to a two-way contract, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

During the NBA G League single site in Orlando, Fla., King played for the Westchester Knicks and accrued averages of 13.7 points (.521 FG%, .456 3pt%, .810 FT%), 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 32.2 minutes per game in 15 appearances while ranking sixth in overall three-point field goal percentage. Undrafted out of the University of Oregon, King appeared in 10 games with the Detroit Pistons during the 2019-20 season.

Kings sign center Damian Jones, who had been on 10-day deals, to standard contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed center Damian Jones to a multi-year contract, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

“Damian provides a defensive presence and has fit in nicely with our group,” said McNair. “We are excited to see his continued growth in Sacramento.”

During the 2020-21 season, Jones has appeared in six games (two starts) with the Kings after originally signing his first 10-day contract with the team on April 7 and a second 10-day contract on April 17.

Kings sign Chimezie Metu to standard NBA contract, and waive Chris Silva

The Sacramento Kings have signed forward-center Chimezie Metu to a multi-year contract, according to Kings General Manager Monte McNair.

And in a subsequent move, the team has waived forward Chris Silva.

Metu had been with the Kings on a two-way contract.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “a league source told The Sacramento Bee that Metu agreed to a three-year deal.”

“Chimezie has worked hard this season and done a terrific job to earn his place on the team,” said McNair. “He provides toughness and energy to the group. We are happy to watch his career develop in a Kings uniform.”

During the 2020-21 season, Metu has appeared in 28 games (no starts) with the Kings, averaging 5.1 points (.556 FG%, .690 FT%), 2.5 rebounds and 10.2 minutes per game.