Kings news: Queta injury, young guys step up, Sabonis incentives
By Logan Struck
The Sacramento Kings are focusing their attention on the NBA Summer League as the rest of the NBA off-season slows down. The Kings have had a great showing in the Summer League, winning three in a row until losing to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
The Kings now have a 1-1 Las Vegas Summer League record, keeping them in the conversation for the four-team Summer League playoffs starting July 16th. The Kings have at least two more games to play in Vegas as the young guys continue to showcase their talent and some fight for roster spots.
Here are a few headlines that Kings fans might enjoy amid a busy NBA Summer League:
Neemias Queta leaves the game with an injury in Monday’s loss
The Summer Kings have played exceptionally since the start of the California Classic Summer League, and center Neemias Queta has been a big reason. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old big man left Monday night’s game in the first half due to right foot soreness.
The 23-year-old seven-footer is fighting for a Kings roster spot, as he is currently a restricted free agent. Before the injury, Queta averaged 11.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks through the first three Summer League games, including two double-doubles.
It is still unknown whether Neemias Queta will return to the court before Summer League ends, but regardless, we feel he has earned a spot on the Sacramento Kings roster. The Kings have three roster spots available (one two-way), and it is expected Neemias Queta and Summer League standout Jordan Ford will take two of those.
Rookie Colby Jones steps up with a big game
While Colby Jones has continued to prove he can do it all, the rookie has stepped up as a scorer with an impressive outing on Monday night. Although the Kings fell to the Clippers, Jones had 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
In his impressive scoring game, Jones shot an efficient 8-13 from the field and 3-7 from deep. The 6’5″ guard led the team in points and rebounds and stepped up on the defensive end.
After Keegan Murray’s Summer League career ended, Colby Jones was expected to step up as a scorer and playmaker. The rookie still has room to improve, but he will be a valuable asset for years.
Colby made his presence felt on the floor tonight 💪
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) July 11, 2023
👑 19 PTS
👑 9 REB
👑 8-13 FG
@kovajoness | #NBA2KSummerLeague pic.twitter.com/xQNSURXFQP
Keon Ellis impresses with a strong outing
Alongside Colby Jones, Keon Ellis had a big game in Monday’s loss. Keon Ellis stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. The 6’5″ guard recently signed a two-way contract with the Kings, as he has been a G League monster.
Keon Ellis, 23, proves to Sacramento how he can be valuable to the regular season roster. The electric guard seems to be everywhere on the court, and this solid Summer League play could translate to the regular season if he is given an opportunity.
Domantas Sabonis’ contract includes incentives
With a Domantas Sabonis contract renegotiation/extension, the Sacramento Kings fanbase knows how committed Sabonis is to the franchise.
It is reported that the Sabonis contract extension is worth $216.6 million, which includes $203.6 million guaranteed and $13 million in bonus incentives. We already knew that Sabonis did not take all the money available so that the Kings could save some money, and we hope he can earn his incentive money, as the three-time All-Star deserves it.
