The Sacramento Kings traded Davion Mitchell and Sasha Vezenkov to the Toronto Raptors this summer in a cost-cutting move. The Kings shed salary that eventually helped them land DeMar DeRozan via sign-and-trade, and the Kings moved off two players in need of new scenery. Davion Mitchell was redundant following the draft selection of Devin Carter, and Sasha Vezenkov was so eager to leave the NBA that he eventually gave back his entire salary to the Raps in exchange for his release. But often overlooked in the trade is Jalen McDaniels, who came to Sacramento in the deal.
It’s understandable why he’s been overlooked. The Kings had no introductory press conference for McDaniels. McDaniels kept his summer workouts away from Sacramento. It was fair to wonder if the Kings were simply counting the days until he was eligible to be repackaged in another trade, although that seems less and less likely as the season approaches. For a team alarmingly thin at the forward position, could McDaniels actually be part of the team’s plans?
I’m not getting my hopes up too high, but McDaniels has the potential to be a playable rotation piece. McDaniels best production came in the 56 games he played with the Chicago Bulls in 2022-23, where he actually started 21 games, and averaged 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 26.7 minutes per game. Jalen still wasn’t exceptional efficient in that stretch, shooting 44.7% overall and 32.2% from 3. Not great from a starter, but not unplayable as a depth piece. Given the lack of other options with size, Mike Brown could look at Jalen’s 6’9 height and 7′ wingspan and be enticed when matchups call for more length.
I don’t have high expectations for McDaniels this season. The Kings could waive him before the season in order to sign some other veteran and I wouldn’t bat an eye. But if he’s on the regular season roster and sees some minutes, I also won’t be surprised.
It is a bit interesting that they haven’t introduced him yet, but isn’t it the same for Jordan McLaughlin as well?
Maybe the front office is just on summer furlough mode. If you check out the Kings official website, they still have McGee and Jordan Ford as listed on the roster. They even have Alex Len and Orlando Robinson each as wearing #25.
If he sticks around, I’m guessing he’s gonna fill that Kessler Edwards end of the bench and garbage minutes role. I’m really not expecting much.
I think the Kings front office is finally growing up. Every player is not worthy of an announcement event or a media outing. Hoping this guy can contribute at the forward position and not simply be salary taken on to dump Davion and lose the cap space Sasha gifted the Raptors. He played decently for the Bulls according to the stats listed. I don’t remember seeing play basketball at any time.
Not worried about a forward with a low three point percentage. His percentage for threes is realistically not that far off of Fox’s.
Maybe he just wanted out of Canada?
Before I read this article I want to say:
thank you and please tell me!!!!
I have no Ferking clue
Replying to myself: That wasn’t very informative guys and gals (kings herald staff).
I learned nothing here and I was very excited to do exactly that. This may sound like criticism, it’s not really. It’s more just me hoping to get some answers about why the hell this guy was traded for and still on the team. I’m still clueless.
looking forward to finding out with my own eyes as the season begins. Zero hopes on what he could or could not be. Which… is weird for me to say. I usually find myself fully invested in 15 out of 15 players on the kings roster plus 2-3 guys on the G league team. I still know ZERO about this guy and have ZERO reasons to form any real or false hopes.
????
So… what the hell is going on? Is he a hidden gem? Is he someone that Monte should have never traded for? Is there upside? What’s his story? At the moment he’s a ghost. I knew more about Kessler Edwards, Trey Lyle’s , Sasha, Swanson, Kyle Guy and Ray McColumn. WT-literal-F?
He is the reincarnation of a cross breed between C Webb x Vlade x Ellis.
Welcome to the forum
Oh, you haven’t met? She is AnybodyButBagley reincarnated. Miracle of miracles!
I think the simple answer is he is just the byproduct of a salary dump by Monte. Toronto had to send something back in exchange for Davion and Sasha, and Jalen was basically end of the rotation filler to make numbers work.
Put me in the camp of “I highly doubt Jalen was sought out by Monte.” We are talking about a guy who averaged 3 points, shooting 34% from the field, in 10 minutes per game. He’s going to be competing for with Colby Jones for garbage time…when he even dresses for the game.
I agree with your point, but I don’t know what happened in 23-24 to crater his production. He was an adequate 7th to 9th man in 22-23. Perhaps he can get back to that level in Sac? Maybeee?
He’s the new Donte?
Greg, he played for the Charlotte Hornets, not the Chicago Bulls.
I have very little expectations. He is not like Keon who came in as an unknown but had no NBA experience. This guy has proven over a number of years that he is a marginal player.
His best role is packaged in a trade for a better player. Kings need help at the wing- some have gone to Europe- Cedi etc.
Some are old- Crowder
Some mediocre- N. Little and some just plain hurtin’- TJ Warren.
Monte- get us a 6-9 guy with a 7-5 wingspan who hits 42% of his threes.
Badge Legend