A few days after signing guard Jordan Ford to a training camp deal, the Sacramento Kings have signed Ford to a two-way contract, per Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report.
Sacramento Kings are converting local-native guard Jordan Ford to a two-way contract, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/9ETAPYWaxx
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 14, 2023
This always seemed a likely outcome for Ford, a former Folsom High Bulldog who grew up a Kings fan, after his strong performances for Sacramento in the 2023 Summer League games and with the Stockton Kings G League squad last year. In 32 games with Stockton (all starts), Ford averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.1 boards, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 49.7% from the field, 40.1% from three, and 80.6% from the line. Across the Kings 6 Summer League contests in Sacramento and Las Vegas, Ford averaged 14.2 points and 5 assists on 50% from the field and 34.6% from deep. Ford’s best individual game of the summer came in a loss against the Bulls, where he finished with 25 points, 8 assists, and 4 made threes while showcasing his on-ball craft, quickness in transition, playmaking instincts, and quick-pop shot.
Can Ford make an impact for the Sacramento roster this season? It seems unlikely that there will be real minutes for Jordan, given the Kings bench depth—Malik Monk and Davion Mitchell are locks for key bench roles, and Chris Duarte and rookie Colby Jones will likely fight for reserve opportunities at the guard spots. Fellow two-way player Keon Ellis will make his case as well, and given his strong defensive prowess and improving deep shot, he could be the Kings most-utilized two-way pro.
But aside from Monk, Ford may be the best shooter of the bunch—he shot 40% from deep in each of the past three regular seasons in the G League, and shot 41.6% from deep across his 4-year career at Saint Mary’s College. Sacramento always needs more shooters on the roster, especially at the point guard position behind De’Aaron Fox and Mitchell. And Ford is also a strong playmaker on a fast-paced team, and led the Stockton team in assists in 2022-23 and finished the year with a 3.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Kings haven’t yet found a true diamond-in-the-rough prospect who snagged a real NBA role after working through their development squad. While it’s likely a mistake to bet on a 6’1 guard being that breakout surprise, I wouldn’t make that bet against Ford. He’s a smart player who has a near-elite skill for the modern NBA.
Ford signs the Kings’ third and final two-way contract of the season, joining sophomore Ellis and rookie Jalen Slawson. The two-way deal system, which was expanded from two spots to three this offseason, allows NBA teams to keep additional players in their organization that do not have to count against their 15-man regular season roster. The Kings can swap Ford, Ellis, and Slawson between the Sacramento and Stockton rosters as needed, so long as each player does not participate in more than 50 NBA games in the season.
The Kings have one of the deeper benches in franchise history this year, and on the surface it seems unlikely that any two-way player, Ford included, will crack real minutes for Sacramento. But Jordan is an excellent depth signing for the Kings, and can continue to be a floor general and primary scorer for the Stockton squad as needed. Retaining Ford and giving him an opportunity to challenge for NBA minutes is a smart decision by Monte McNair. Even if Ford doesn’t find minutes on a fully healthy, optimized Kings roster, he’s an excellent fit for the Kings as a third bench guard who can help space the floor and keep the offense moving should Mike Brown need to dig deep into his reserves.
Not that I’m biased or anything.
Ford has a bit of Gabe Vincent in him. That’s good. Most 6-1 guys are fast and /or quick. He is ok but he does know how to play.
BTW- Q signed a 2-way with Boston. That’s not the duds, so good for him. Duds are looking at Dwayne Deadman. and Dwight Howard.
Would not mind at all if Looney tunes had to sit out games.
anyway, good for Jordan. He will not let this go to his head.
Ford really is an interesting prospect. The first time I saw him play, I thought, “who is that old man down there?” because he never appears to moving very quickly.
After a while, one notices that he moves without the ball very well, seems to have good basketball instincts, and his shot is real. He isn’t quick, but he battles on defense, which is something that you always want to see.
Given his size. it’ll be an uphill battle for him to see real minutes in the NBA, but I like that McNair is keeping him in-house. The kid busts his ass.
I thought that the mention of Ellis’ improving deep shot was a little odd, as he made fully half of his attempts in NBA play last season. He was about 36% (over twelve games) in Stockton, 37% in college, and the truth most certainly lies between those three numbers. I do think his numbers will be in the neighborhood of 40% going forward. Ellis is definitely a shooter, and his defensive chops are solid and improving.
Prospects! We have them!
In Summer League, Keon shot 38.5% from three in the 6 games. That’s what I was referring to (but failed to give context for).
Context, shmontext.
But I didn’t know his Summer League numbers, so thanks for that!
He’s got that Gael in him, so you never know.
The Gaels put out some serious point guards
We’ll all be rooting for him if he gets his shot, but it’ll take a little luck for that to happen. Unfortunately, it’d be bad luck for the Kings (injuries or underperformance) to equate to good luck for him.
Didn’t follow him at all last year. However, he definitely caught my eye at the CA Classic and again in Summer League. I was hoping he’d get a two-way, and glad he actually did.
Yoooo, the Sac Kings Youtube channel posted the 4th quarter and two OTs uncut for 176-175 2OT win we had against the Clippers!
Best game I’ve ever seen, hands down.
I wish I was subscribed to League Pass at that time. I was following social media live as the game was happening and I was going crazy just following that.
Yep. Legendary.
Keeping Queta and not wasting space for McGee would have been a much better investment. But best wishes to Jordan Ford trying to crack the NBA.
My bet is that McGee will be a better NBA player than Queta would have been this year, or perhaps any year.
Q is large. But his reaction time is slow.
JaVale is an odd person and does odd things on the court at times but he can be very effective in spurts. A few years back, I could not wait for an opponent to put him in the game- foolish things were coming but last 2 years, I had some trepidation. I had concerns that he might actually be productive.
All Javale needs to do is block/adjust shots on defense, and run the floor on offense. He excels at both, and every rebound or point he gets is gravy.
Queta hasn’t done anything to indicate he’s an NBA player and while McGee may be mostly washed, at least he has NBA level experience.
Good! I like his game. He reminds me of old school type pgs who were facilitators first with scoring as needed.
My sense from watching him was competency- he’s a pg and that’s what he does.
I don’t know, can he?
Ok, you’re right. May he. Better?
Can one make an impact from the practice squad? Theoretically, I suppose. It would take a lot for us to need him on the floor for significant minutes and I don’t want to type that out specifically and send it into the universe. Maybe he can teach Davion how to shoot at a 40% clip. That would be a huge impact…
I doubt it but I would heavily bet against any two-way player making an impact. If he’s the 15th man, good for him for making it to the league but I don’t see enough athleticism to make much of an impact. I think if he’s a rotation player something has probably gone horribly wrong.
Badge Legend