Category: Sacramento Kings Blog

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Kings sign center Chimezie Metu to two-way contract

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent center Chimezie Metu to a two-way contract.

Metu appeared in four preseason games with the Kings, averaging 6.0 points (.563 FG%, .333 3pt%, .625 FT%), 2.3 rebounds and 7.4 minutes per game. An early entrant out of the University of Southern California, the 49th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs has career averages of 2.3 points (.430 FG%, .767 FT%), 1.5 rebounds and 5.3 minutes per game in 47 games in two seasons with San Antonio (2018-20). During the 2019-20 season, Metu averaged 3.2 points (.571 FG%, .769 FT%), 1.8 rebounds and 5.8 minutes per game in 18 games.

Sacramento’s roster now stands at 17 players.

Kings waive center Chimezie Metu

The Sacramento Kings have waived center Chimezie Metu, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

Metu appeared in four preseason games with the Kings, averaging 6.0 points (.563 FG%, .333 3pt%, .625 FT%), 2.3 rebounds and 7.4 minutes per game. An early entrant out of the University of Southern California, the 49th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs has career averages of 2.3 points (.430 FG%, .767 FT%), 1.5 rebounds and 5.3 minutes per game in 47 games in two seasons with San Antonio (2018-20).

Sacramento’s roster now stands at 16 players.

Kings waive Frank Kaminsky

The Sacramento Kings have waived forward-center Frank Kaminsky.

Kaminsky appeared in four preseason games with the Kings, averaging 5.3 points (.400 FG%, .250 3pt%) and 7.6 minutes per game. Prior to Sacramento, the former ninth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets accrued averages of 9.8 points (.422 FG%, .347 3pt%, .750 FT%), 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 21.9 minutes per game in 321 career games (36 starts) with Charlotte (2015-19) and the Phoenix Suns (2019-20).

Sacramento’s roster now stands at 17 players.

Kings exercise 2021-22 option on Marvin Bagley III

The Sacramento Kings have exercised their 2021-22 option on forward Marvin Bagley III.

Per multiple reports, Bagley’s Kings salary for that season is for around $11.3 million.

Selected by the Kings with the second overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Duke, Bagley has appeared in 75 games (10 starts) in two seasons for the Kings and is averaging 14.8 points (.497 FG%, .288 3pt%, .703 FT%), 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 25.3 minutes per game.

The 6-11, 235-pound forward was a member of the 2018-19 NBA All-Rookie First Team and competed on Team USA in the 2019 MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Kings sign Glenn Robinson III, who split time last season with Warriors and Sixers

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent forward Glenn Robinson III, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Robinson III competed in 62 games (52 starts) and averaged 11.7 points (.486 FG%, .391 3pt%, .860 FT%), 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 28.8 minutes for the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors. Robinson III posted career-highs in points (11.7), assists (1.5), rebounds (4.4), field goal percentage (.486), free-throw percentage (.860) and minutes played (28.8) per game as well as starts (52) during the 2019-20 season.

A six-year veteran from the University of Michigan, Robinson III has accrued career averages of 6.0 points (.459 FG%, .373 3pt%, .768 FT%), 2.6 rebounds and 17.5 minutes per game in 281 games (103 starts) for five teams: Philadelphia (2019-20, 2014-15), Golden State (2019-20), Detroit Pistons (2018-19), Indiana Pacers (2015-18), and the Minnesota Timberwolves (2014-15).

Originally selected by the Timberwolves with the 40th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, Robinson III spent two seasons at the University of Michigan where he helped lead the Wolverines to the national championship game as a freshman in 2013.

Robinson III will wear No. 30 for the Kings.

Sacramento Kings sign rookie forward Robert Woodard II

The Sacramento Kings have signed rookie forward Robert Woodard II.

During the 2020 NBA Draft, Sacramento acquired the draft rights to Woodard II with the 40th selection from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights to forward Xavier Tillman Sr. with the 35th selection.

As a sophomore at Mississippi State, the Columbus, Miss. native averaged 11.4 points (.495 FG%, .429 3pt%, .641 FT%), 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 33.1 minutes per game in 31 games (all starts) during the 2019-20 season. Woodard II led the Bulldogs in steals (35) and was one of three Power 5 players to accrue averages of more than 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.

He also registered double figures in scoring for 19 games, ranking third on the team.

In high school, the four-star recruit and two-time Gatorade Player of the Year was the state of Mississippi’s top prospect for the Class of 2018.

Woodard will wear No. 13 for the Kings.

Kings sign Frank Kaminsky

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent forward/center Frank Kaminsky.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Kaminsky’s Kings contract is just a one-year, non-guaranteed deal.

Selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Kaminsky has accrued averages of 9.8 points (.422 FG%, .347 3pt%, .750 FT%), 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 21.9 minutes per game in 321 career games (36 starts) with Charlotte (2015-19) and the Phoenix Suns (2019-20). The former consensus first-team All-American and 2014-15 Associated Press Player of the Year out of Wisconsin averaged 9.7 points (.450 FG%, .331 3pt%, .678 FT%), 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 19.9 minutes per game in 39 games (13 starts) during the 2019-20 campaign for Phoenix.

Kaminsky will wear No. 41 for the Kings.

Sacramento Kings hire Kyle Draper as additional TV play-by-play announcer

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Kyle Draper has been named as the team’s additional TV play-by-play announcer, following the recent announcement of new primary TV announcer Mark Jones, and host of “Kings Pregame Live” and “Kings Postgame Live” on NBC Sports California. Draper, who arrives in Sacramento with more than 20 years of television experience, will call select games alongside analyst and Kings legend Doug Christie on NBC Sports California when Jones is on assignment for ESPN.

Since 2009, Draper has worked for NBC Sports Boston, serving as host of “Celtics Pregame Live” and “Celtics Postgame Live” and as the fill-in play-by-play announcer for the network’s live-game coverage of the Celtics. He’s also covered various other events for NBC Sports Boston, including the NBA Draft Lottery, NBA Draft and Celtics training camp. In addition, Draper has filled in as play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports Chicago’s live coverage of the Chicago Bulls.

“We are excited to welcome Kyle to the Kings family and add his engaging presence to our talented broadcast team of Mark Jones and Doug Christie,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “His significant experience in the media industry will greatly add to the telecasts, and we look forward to watching him work his magic in Sacramento.”

“Kyle’s deep passion and knowledge of the NBA will further complement our expert Kings coverage all season long,” added NBC Sports Bay Area/California Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Murphy. “With the recent addition of Mark joining Doug for the majority of our Kings telecasts, we are thrilled to be able to showcase Kyle’s exceptional talents as both a play-by-play broadcaster and studio host beginning next month.”

“It is an honor to join the Kings broadcast team and I would like to thank Vivek and the organization for this amazing opportunity,” said Draper. “For generations, Kings fans have demonstrated an incredible devotion to their team, and I can’t wait to connect with them while beginning a new chapter in Sacramento.”

Prior to his broadcasting career in the league, Draper garnered experience throughout the news industry from several roles including sports director at WHAS-TV (ABC) in Louisville, Ky., and as a general news reporter, producer and sports anchor in Yakima, Wash., and La Crosse, Wis. Draper is a graduate of Winona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and has also attended Temple University.

Kings sign center Hassan Whiteside

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent center Hassan Whiteside.

According to the Sacramento Bee, “the Kings signed Whiteside to a one-year minimum deal, which is worth $2.32 million for a player with eight years of NBA service, sources said. Whiteside made $27 million with the Portland Trail Blazers last season in the final year of the four-year, $98.4 million deal he signed with the Miami Heat in 2016.”

Whiteside returns to Sacramento after being selected by the Kings with the 33rd overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Whiteside has averaged 13.7 points (.582 FG%, .320 3pt%, .608 FT%), 11.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 26.7 minutes per game in 410 career contests (320 starts) with the Kings (2010-11 – 2011-12), Miami Heat (2014-15 – 2018-19) and Portland Trail Blazers (2019-20).

Last season for the Blazers, Whiteside tallied 15.5 points (.621 FG%, .571 3pt%, .686 FT%), 13.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.4 steals and 30.0 minutes per game in 67 games (61 starts). The 7-foot-0, 265-pound player out of Marshall led the NBA in blocks (196), blocks per game (2.9) and offensive rebounds (258), while ranking second in total rebounds (905) and double-doubles (51) in 2019-20.

More from the Bee: “Whiteside will add significant size, rebounding and shot-blocking ability to a team that has lacked rebounding and rim protection in recent years.”

Entering the 2020-21 season, Whiteside ranks first among active NBA players in career blocks per game (2.4) and stands at third in rebounds per game (11.7). As a member of the Heat, he led the NBA in rebounds per game (14.1) in 2016-17. Following the 2015-16 season, Whiteside was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team after leading the league in blocks (269) and blocks per game (3.7). In the postseason, Whiteside has garnered averages of 9.0 points (.611 FG%, 1-1 3pt, .577 FT%), 8.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 23.7 minutes per game in 20 playoff games (18 starts) with Miami and Portland.

Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, Whiteside was the 2010 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year after averaging 13.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and a Division I-leading 5.4 blocks per game in 34 contests for Marshall University. Whiteside also earned the following collegiate honors: AP Honorable Mention All-American, Sporting News Second Team freshman All-American, Second Team All-Conference USA, Conference USA All-Freshman Team and All-Defensive Team, plus Second Team NABC All-District 11.

Whiteside will wear No. 20 for the Kings.

Kings sign rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton

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

“We are thrilled to have drafted Tyrese and excited to welcome him to the Kings family,” said McNair. “He is an incredibly talented athlete whose shooting, creative passing and ball handling skills combined with his ability to defend either guard position will be a valuable addition to our backcourt. Tyrese also has an engaging personality and is just the type of high character individual who fits the future of what we are building in Sacramento.”

The 12th overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft garnered averages of 15.2 points (.504 FG%, .419 3pt%, .822 FT%), 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 36.7 minutes per game in 22 games (all starts) during his sophomore campaign at Iowa State playing for the Cyclones in 2019-20. Upon season’s end, Haliburton finished sixth in the Big 12 in scoring per game (15.2), second in FG percentage (50.4), first in assists (6.5), first in steals (2.5), and third in three-point field goal percentage (.419).

A native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Haliburton earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors, was named NABC All-District 8 Second Team and garnered Big 12 Player of the Week honors in back-to-back seasons (2019, 2020). He was named as a Cousy Award Finalist and to the Wooden Award Midseason Top-25 list. During the summer of 2019, Haliburton was selected to the 2019 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Cup Team where he helped lead the squad to a Gold Medal finish and was named to the All-Star Five for the tournament.

Haliburton will wear No. 0 for the Kings.