After going undrafted in 2026, the Sacramento Kings signed Marquel Sutton to an Exhibit 10 contract for the Summer League. He performed incredibly well, making a great impression on the entire organization. The question is how interested the Kings are and what their next step is with him.
Sutton spent five seasons with three different colleges, the most recent one being the LSU Tigers. In 2026, he declared for the NBA draft but wasn't selected by a team. That doesn't mean anything, though. Jose Alvarado was undrafted and just won a title with the New York Knicks.
What the Kings did do was sign Sutton up to a contract that let him play on their Summer League squad. It was an opportunity for him to show Sacramento what he can bring to the table, and he took full advantage. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game on 47% shooting from the field.
The problem is that Sacramento has the space on the roster to bring him in, just not the money. As it stands right now, adding anything to the payroll will push them into a detrimental luxury tax situation. A set roster like the Knicks can afford that. A rebuild team like the Kings just can't.
Sacramento has to be keeping an eye on Sutton
At the same time, the Kings are still a really guard-heavy team, particularly when it comes to shooting guards. The situation has gotten better as Scott Perry has reworked the roster a bit, but there are still a lot of changes to make. A young power forward like Sutton could do a lot of good for the rebuild.
Sure, the Kings can't bring him in right now, but that doesn't mean that he's not a good prospect. They don't even have a two-way contract to sign him to, as all three are currently in use with good players. That being said, Sutton could play on the Stockton Kings in the G League.
That would at least get Sutton into the Kings' developmental system and keep him on their radar. After the 2026-2027 season is over, Sacramento would likely have an opportunity to offer Sutton a two-way contract at the very least, bringing him another step closer to the main roster.
For the rebuild to work, Perry has to be thinking that far ahead. And he is most certainly that type of general manager. While it might not happen this season, the front office has to know that Sutton has the potential to be a great developmental addition to what they're putting together in Sacramento.
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