The Sacramento Kings may not have made a lot of big moves at the trade deadline, but they made the smartest move of the season after it was over. Sacramento signed two-way G League player Dylan Cardwell to a full NBA contract, and he validated that choice against the Clippers.
This has been a season full of surprises for the Kings, some good and some bad. One of the best has been the play of the Kings' rookies and second-year players. As it turns out, the young core Sacramento needs to get the rebuild rolling is already on the team.
There are several names on that list, such as Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud, both of whom have been impressing everyone with their game for months. More recently, both Devin Carter and Daeqwon Plowded have been finding big statement moments and solid performances in recent days.
But the big revelation for Sacramento has been Dylan Cardwell. The undrafted G League player on a two-way contract has done so well that Sacramento recently signed him to a proper four-year NBA contract. The best part is that he continues to prove the franchise's faith in him right.
Cardwell plays big man ball against the Clippers
While the Kings narrowly lost to the Clippers last night, it wasn't for lack of effort. The biggest minutes went to rookies and young players, who put in solid team efforts at both ends of the court. Cardwell was at the core of that with his biggest game of the season.
He picked up his second double-double of 2025-2026, his first as a full-fledged member of the Kings' roster. Cardwell's final stats were 14 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks. He shot an incredible seven of 11 from the field, not to mention picking up eight offensive rebounds.
In case you're wondering, that was both the highest number of points he's scored in one game this season as well as the most rebounds he's collected in a single game this season. Plus, Cardwell continues to maintain his dominance as the top rookie rebounder in the league.
Signing Dylan Cardwell to a full, long-term NBA contract will go down as the best decision the Kings made in 2025-2026. He has proven to be an absolute menace on defense, and his offensive dominance seems to be growing every time he plays. Cardwell is a future star in this league.