Category: Sacramento Kings Blog

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Sacramento Kings re-sign guard DaQuan Jeffries

The Sacramento Kings have re-signed guard DaQuan Jeffries.

During the 2019-20 season, on a two-way contract for the Sacramento Kings, Jeffries appeared in 13 games and averaged 3.8 points (.500 FG%, .278 3pt%, .833 FT%), 1.4 rebounds and 10.8 minutes per game. An early entrant out of Tulsa and going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, Jeffries accrued averages of 16.6 points (.461 FG%, .339 3pt%, .705 FT%), 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 31.0 minutes per game in 27 games (22 starts) for the Sacramento Kings G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.

Jeffries appeared in 56 career games (40 starts) during two seasons at the University of Tulsa (2017-19), averaging 11.5 points (.517 FG%, .375 3pt%, .766 FT%), 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks and 25.4 minutes per game. As a senior (2018-19), he played 31 games (all starts) where he averaged 13.0 points (.502 FG%, .366 3pt%, .755 FT%), 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 steals and 28.1 minutes per game. Jeffries led the team in points, blocked shots and steals, and earned Third Team All-American Athletic Conference honors.

Kings sign center Chimezie Metu

The Sacramento Kings have signed center Chimezie Metu.

The deal is likely non-guaranteed and just for training camp.

Metu has two years of NBA experience, both with the San Antonio Spurs. Last season, he averaged 3.2 points (.571 FG%, .769 FT%), 1.8 rebounds and 5.8 minutes per game, in 18 games played.

An early entrant out of the University of Southern California, the 49th overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft by the 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).

A native of Los Angeles, Metu earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors his junior season at USC and ranks third all-time in blocked shots in school history with 168.

Metu will wear No. 25 for the Kings.

Sacramento Kings sign De’Aaron Fox to contract extension

The Sacramento Kings made a big investment on Wednesday (November 25, 2020), signing guard De’Aaron Fox to a multi-year contract extension.

Accorrding to the Sacramento Bee, Fox “received a maximum five-year, $163 million extension that could reach the $195.6 million super max with incentives.”

“De’Aaron is amongst the elite young guards in the league and I can’t say enough about how excited we are to have his talent, leadership and potential remain in Sacramento for years to come,” said General Manager Monte McNair. “His speed and dynamic playmaking ability along with his aggressive defensive mindset are core to our team’s identity. Not only is De’Aaron a fierce competitor who is committed to winning here, his charisma and integrity are characteristics we value greatly. I anticipate a bright future ahead for him and the organization.”

Entering his fourth season in the NBA, the fifth overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft has career averages of 16.2 points (.451 FG%, .328 3pt%, .718 FT%), 3.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 30.3 minutes per game in 205 games (190 starts) with the Kings.

During the 2019-20 campaign, Fox averaged 21.1 points (.480 FG%, .292 3pt%, .705 FT%), 3.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 32.0 minutes per game through 51 games (49 starts).

Last season, Fox registered career-highs in points per game, field-goal percentage, points in a game (39), and field goals made in a game (17).

“I would like to thank Vivek and Monte for this opportunity to continue my career with the Kings,” said Fox. “It has been an honor to play in front of the best fans in all of sports and begin my career here in Sacramento. I look forward to getting back on the court with my teammates, competing hard every night and leading this team to the next level.”

Kings will reportedly sign Frank Kaminsky

The Sacramento Kings will reportedly be signing Frank Kaminsky. Here’s the Sacramento Bee:

The Kings got off to a slow start in free agency while the Bogdan Bogdanovic saga played out, but general manager Monte McNair was working overtime on Thanksgiving Day.

McNair signed a second free agent Thursday, adding Frank Kaminsky on a short-term deal a day after signing Hassan Whiteside. Kaminsky agreed to a non-guaranteed one-year-deal with the Kings, a league source told The Sacramento Bee.

Kings trade KJ Martin Jr’s draft rights to Rockets

The Houston Rockets have acquired the rights to rookie guard KJ Martin Jr. in a trade with the Sacramento Kings in exchange for cash considerations and a future L.A. Lakers second round pick attained via trade with Detroit.

The 19-year-old is the son of Kenyon Martin, who was the first overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. Martin Jr. attended Sierra Canyon School in California, where he was teammates with Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cassius Stanley, who was selected by Indiana with the 54th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Per the Houston Chronicle, KJ had this to say: “Being around it and seeing it all my life, now I’m in the situation my dad was in a way, I’m just very excited,” Martin said. “I feel like it made me a better player. People ask, ‘Is it harder for you because of your dad?” I kind of take it as an advantage. A lot of kids don’t see that type of stuff and be around NBA guys and see how they work. I took all that in and put it to use for myself. It paid off.”

Martin (6-6, 215) was the 52nd overall pick by the Kings in the 2020 NBA Draft. He spent last season with IMG Academy’s post-graduate team, which posted a 29-3 record, and averaged 19.6 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 69.1% from inside-the-arc.

More from the Chronicle: “The league is crowded with second generation players Devin Booker (Melvin,) Jalen Brunson (Rick,) Bol Bol (Manute,) Amir Coffey (Rick,) Steph and Seth Curry (Del,) Jae Crowder (Corey,) Ed Davis (Terry,) Darius Garland (Winston,) Jerami Grant (Harvey,) Al Horford (Tito,) Jaren Jackson Jr., Kevin Love (Stan,) Wesley Matthews (Wes,) Larry Nance Jr., Jabari Parker (Sonny,) Gary Payton II, Austin Rivers (Doc,) Glenn Robinson III, Domantas Sabonis (Arvydas,) Garrett Temple (Hollis,) Klay Thompson (Mychal,) Gary Trent Jr., Andrew Wiggins (Mitchell,) and Justise Winslow (Ricky.)”

Hawks sign former Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic

The Atlanta Hawks have signed restricted free agent guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Per multiple reports, Bogdanovic’s Hawks contract is a four-year deal for $72 million.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “the Kings have elected not to match the Hawks’ offer for the 28-year-old restricted free agent, the AJC confirmed, and thus he will play for Atlanta this season, rounding out a handful of moves that have significantly improved its roster.”

“Bogdan has a great feel for the game, and we expect him to be a great fit for us with his high-level offensive skill set, experience and toughness,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk. “It’s no secret that one of our biggest areas of focus in free agency was adding shooting and quality depth. With Bogdan as part of our incoming group, we feel those are now areas of strength.”

Bogdanovic, 28, averaged 15.1 points, 3.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.0 minutes for the Kings last season (.440 FG%, .372 3FG%, .741 FT%), appearing in 61 games (28 starts). He was tied for 24th in the NBA in three-pointers made (164). In his three-year career in Sacramento, the native of Belgrade, Serbia has totaled 13.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 28.2 minutes (.434 FG%, .374 3FG%, .806 FT%) in 209 games (97 starts).

Originally the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft by Phoenix, the 6-foot-6 Bogdanovic played internationally for Partizan (Serbia) and Fenerbahce (Turkey) before coming to the NBA.

He will wear jersey No. 13.

Jabari Parker reportedly exercises option to remain with Kings for 2020-21

Jabari Parker will remain in Sacramento. Here’s the Sacramento Bee:

Kings forward Jabari Parker has reportedly exercised his player option and will remain in Sacramento for the 2020-21 season.

Sources told The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Tuesday that Parker is picking up his $6.5 million option for next season, a move that comes as no surprise. Parker is still only 25 years old, but his career has been plagued by injuries since the Milwaukee Bucks selected him from Duke with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Parker played 32 games for the Hawks last season and averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, and was traded to the Kings, for whom he played just six games, averaging 8.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per outing.

Sacramento Kings hire Mark Jones as new primary TV play-by-play announcer

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Mark Jones has been named as the team’s new primary TV play-by-play announcer. Universally recognized for his nationally televised work on ESPN and ABC Sports, Jones brings more than 30 years of experience to Sacramento. He will call game action alongside Kings TV color analyst and Legend Doug Christie on NBC Sports California, the exclusive home of Kings basketball, beginning in the 2020-21 season.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Kings family and watch him partner with Doug to form a new, dynamic broadcast team for the franchise and its proud fans,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “Throughout his impressive career, Mark has amassed a tremendous wealth of experience broadcasting some of the largest events this league has hosted. We are excited he has chosen to continue his career in Sacramento as we look towards the bright future of this organization.”

“Mark is an exceptional NBA broadcasting talent, as evidenced by his long and successful career on both a national and local level,” added NBC Sports Bay Area/California Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Murphy. “We’re thrilled to bring Mark on board and look forward to pairing him up with Doug for our expert Kings coverage beginning this season.”

“I am thrilled to join the Kings broadcast team. During my years of covering the league extensively, Sacramento has always stood among the top for its passionate and deeply loyal fan base,” said Jones. “I am thankful to Vivek and the organization for this incredible opportunity. My family and I are excited to move to Sacramento and become a part of the community.”

Jones most recently represented ESPN in Orlando as part of the network’s broadcast team during the 2019-20 NBA season restart. He will continue as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN’s NBA and college football coverage while serving as the lead TV voice for the Kings, calling the majority of games. For those games Jones is absent, the team will announce an additional play-by-play announcer soon who will also have pre- and post-game show responsibilities on NBC Sports California.

Since beginning at ESPN in 1990, Jones has been involved with a wide range of assignments. Prior to his role with the network covering NBA and college football, Jones previously worked on broadcasts for the NBA Finals, WNBA, and men’s and women’s college basketball.

From 1991-96 and 2007-10, Jones hosted the network’s SportsCenter coverage of the NBA Finals and called play-by-play for the 2011 NBA Finals for ESPN 3D. He has also hosted ESPN’s coverage of NBA All-Star events, the NBA Draft Lottery and has contributed to the network’s NBA Draft coverage. Jones previously hosted ESPN’s NBA Today and on occasion served as an anchor/reporter on SportsCenter. In addition, Jones has been assigned to events airing on ABC since 1990 with duties including college football, college basketball, the World League and various events on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

Before joining ESPN and ABC Sports, Jones worked from 1986-90 for The Sports Network in Toronto, Canada, where he was the sports desk anchor and host of a Toronto Blue Jays magazine show. The Toronto native graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1985. At York, he was a four-year member of the basketball team, earning All-Conference recognition. Jones has also represented Canada in international basketball competition.

Sacramento Kings hire Rex Kalamian as assistant coach

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Rex Kalamian has been named Assistant Coach.

“I’m excited to add Rex’s experience and perspective to the team,” said Kings Head Coach Luke Walton. “His nearly 30 years in the league will benefit our group and I look forward to working with him.”

Kalamian returns to the Kings after serving as assistant coach from 2007 to 2009. He joins from the Los Angeles Clippers (2018-20), where the team amassed a 97-57 (.629) regular season record during his tenure on Doc Rivers’ staff. Prior to Los Angeles, Kalamian spent three seasons with the Toronto Raptors, serving as the top assistant for Dwane Casey. He helped lead Toronto to a 166-80 (.675) regular season record, the NBA’s third-best over that span, in addition to 2016 Eastern Conference Finals and second round playoff berths in 2017 and 2018.

From 2009-15, he worked with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as the team posted a 316-160 (.664) regular season record, reaching three Western Conference Finals and making one NBA Finals appearance. Before his first stint in Sacramento, Kalamian also coached with Minnesota (2005-07), Denver (2004-05) and the Clippers (1995-2003). He previously served as a scout for Philadelphia (2003-04) and the Clippers (1992-95) before being promoted to assistant coach.

Prior to the NBA, Kalamian worked for two seasons as an assistant at his former school, East Los Angeles College. A graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, Kalamian earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Which Kings players are free agents this NBA offseason?

The Sacramento Kings finished the shortened 2020-21 NBA season with a 31-41 record, placing them 12th in the Western conference. Here’s the Sacramento Bee with a quick free agency overview:

The Kings will have a number of personnel decisions to make when free agency begins. Kent Bazemore, Harry Giles III, Alex Len and Yogi Ferrell will be unrestricted free agents. Bogdan Bogdanovic will be a restricted free agent. Nemanja Bjelica’s $7.2 million salary will become fully guaranteed if he is not waived before the start of free agency.

The Kings were led in scoring last season by De’Aaron Fox at 21.1 points per game, Buddy Hield at 19.2 ppg, Bogdan Bogdanovic at 15.1 ppg, Harrison Barnes at 14.5 ppg, Marvin Bagley III, who played just 13 games, at 14.2 ppg, and Richaun Holmes at 12.3 ppg.