Kings news: P.J. Dozier, NBA in-season tournament, Malik Monk event
As we enter the second half of the weekend, let’s take some time to review some important details that came about Saturday for the Sacramento Kings.
P.J. Dozier has been waived by the Kings
It was announced Saturday that the Sacramento Kings have decided to waive guard P.J. Dozier after just one season in Sacramento. Dozier only appeared in 16 games with averages of 1.4 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. Dozier, while a viable option, was not a big choice in the Kings’ rotation and will seek out another team for the 2023-24 NBA season.
The move to waive Dozier freed up an additional roster spot for Sacramento. Formerly, the Kings only had one roster spot available, as well as one remaining two-way contract spot – which was likely to go to Neemias Queta. Now having two roster spaces open, the Kings have room to sign Summer League players or make a play at signing a free agent.
It is likely that Kings G League player Jordan Ford, a Sacramento native, will sign for the Kings after dominating the NBA Summer League. It is also likely that Neemias Queta will sign either on the two-way deal or straight to the roster. As for any other players that may be targeted, Bol Bol comes to mind as a potential target, though he is linked to the Phoenix Suns.
NBA in-season tournament groups have been announced
The NBA will have its first in-season tournament this year after approving the format in the new collective bargaining agreement. The tournament will take place in November and December this season and features six groups of five teams. The games will count toward the regular season and all teams will still play 82 games unless a team makes the finals – those two teams will play an 83rd game that will not count toward regular season stats or records.
The Kings have been drawn into Group 6, which puts them up against the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs. This is by far the most difficult group, as all of these teams are capable of beating each other and all have superstars.
This will give the Kings a chance to avenge themselves after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. The seven-game series saw lots of bad blood be shown between the two sides, notably when Warrior’s Draymond Green stomped on All-Star center Domantas Sabonis’ chest, causing Green to be ejected and suspended for the following game.
Malik Monk makes an appearance at NBACon
NBACon is a brand new three-day event that kicks off the Summer League. This event was created to connect fans and players, as well as those involved in the NBA. There are many photo booths with NBA legends, on-stage conversations, live musical performances, and more during the event.
Saturday, guard Malik Monk made an appearance in the booths to meet and greet fans. Monk is in Vegas to watch the Kings’ summer league squad play. Notable other Kings players to make appearances are Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov, as well as Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé.
