Kings news: Keegan Murray, Harrison Barnes, two-way contract offers
As we gear up for free agency, the Sacramento Kings are setting the groundwork for how this summer will go. With lots of cap space after trading away the 24th pick of the 2023 NBA draft for a trade exception, leaving the Kings with around $30 million in cap space, as well as drafting rookies Colby Jones and Jalen Slawson, the Kings have a summer of decisions ahead.
Keegan Murray plans to play in the summer league
Keegan Murray has decided to play in the summer league for a second time after winning MVP of the 2022 summer league. He is set to play a few games, likely starting every game he plays in, despite being named to the All-Rookie first team during the 2022-23 season.
We will also see Murray at the California Classic after the Kings revealed the roster for the events.
Will the Kings resign Harrison Barnes?
UPDATE: The Kings have since re-signed Harrison Barnes. Read more about the new deal here.
Harrison Barnes is set to be a free agent this summer, and it is possible that we see him on a different teams roster on July 1st.
It seemed set that Barnes would leave the Kings this summer after four seasons with Sacramento, however, there have been reports recently that Barnes will re-sign with the Kings this summer. Barnes fell out of rotation during the 2023 playoffs and will likely not be a starter next season if he returns, especially with high-profile targets linked to the Kings as well as the Kings offering a great contract to EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov.
If the Kings re-sign Barnes, it will need to be at a discounted price and he will likely have a role off the bench.
Sacramento Kings offer two-way contracts to G League players
The Kings have reportedly offered two-way contracts to Kings players Neemias Queta and Keon Ellis. Both players are on the roster for the summer league and California Classic.
Queta, who has had a dominant year for the Kings G League associate Stockton Kings, is looking to stand out and get his shot in the NBA. The 23-year-old 7-foot center averaged 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 68% from the field. He was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft, yet has only got to play 20 NBA games over two years with the Kings. He is someone the Kings can absolutely look at to support Sabonis while the Kings are still in need of a backup center.
Ellis also had a good year for the Stockton Kings, averaging 16 points, along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. The 23-year-old guard went undrafted in 2022 and signed a two-way deal with the Kings last summer, and looks to make an impression this summer to hopefully get his shot at the NBA after playing only 16 games and averaging 4.4 minutes in the league last year.
