JaKarr Sampson earned a spot with the Sacramento Kings next season
By Tyler Watts
JaKarr Sampson joined the Sacramento Kings on a two-way contract for this season, but does the team retain him for the next campaign?
JaKarr Sampson did not play in the NBA last season. Sampson went undrafted in 2014 but found his way on the rebuilding 76ers roster. He played in 74 games his rookie season and 73 in his second year split between Philadelphia and Denver. The NBA offers dried up after that campaign, though. Sampson applied his trade in G-League hoping for another opportunity. A small chance came from the Sacramento Kings last summer.
Makes the best of his chance
The Kings were searching for talented players to fill out their Summer League roster in 2017. They needed men who would be comfortable being role players around their young nucleus. Enter JaKarr Sampson, who figured only to be around to play a handful of games in Vegas. Sampson had other ideas, though. He displayed energy and effort that were difficult to match and earned himself a two-way contract and a place in the Kings organization for this entire season.
Sampson continued displaying fantastic energy and effort on every court he took this season. He dominated the G-League averaging 17.9 points per game in just 28.7 minutes a night. Sampson helped lead the Reno Bighorns to the playoffs and even managed to play in 22 games with the Kings. Sampson’s rebounding ability and tenacity immediately endeared him to Kings fans. The young man loves playing basketball and giving everything he has out on the court.
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The question now becomes, is JaKarr Sampson with the Sacramento Kings next season?
Future
Sampson earned an NBA contract for next season with the Kings. He turned 25 years old in March. Take a look at how he played down the stretch when given consistent playing time. Sampson averaged 7.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game in 20.3 minutes a night in April. It is a small sample size, but it shows that his energy, effort, and hustle can produce in the NBA. Some team will sign Sampson to be a bench combo forward next season and that team should be the Sacramento Kings. He makes the perfect injury fill-in or spark to insert in when your team is struggling. Sampson likely plays a limited role (including being a DNP-CD in some games) but should be back with the Kings next season.
Final thoughts
Jakarr Sampson turned a Summer League invite into a two-way contract this season, and he may turn that into a multi-year deal with the Kings this offseason. Sampson likely comes cheap and can be a valuable role player off the bench. He never demands the ball and is willing to do the dirty work down low. That along with outstanding effort and hustle should see Sampson wearing the purple and white next season. Stay tuned this offseason for updates on Sampson’s future.
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