The Sacramento Kings announced several signing Sunday afternoon, reaching deals with Keon Ellis, Colby Jones, and Jalen Slawson.
Keon Ellis was re-signed to a two-way contract. Ellis was on a two-way contract last season as well, spending most of his time with the Stockton Kings. With Stockton, Ellis proved himself a capable defender and scorer. He definitely has upside potential as a 3-and-D guard, and it’s great that he’ll remain within the Kings organization.
The Kings also signed Colby Jones to a 4-year contract for $8.76 million, with the first two years guaranteed. This deal falls under the new Second Round Pick Exception, a new feature of the new CBA. This signing won’t count against the cap, and gives the Kings the ability to pay a higher contract to a second round pick.
Second Round Pick exception signings don’t count against the cap until July 31.
This is to encourage teams to sign their second rounders as soon as possible.
Kings still have $5M in cap space. https://t.co/nWvCDZWmbf
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) July 3, 2023
Finally, the Kings signed Jalen Slawson to a two-way contract. Keeping Slawson on a two-way deal allows the Kings to play him as needed while also giving him playing time in Stockton to continue developing.
Under the new CBA, NBA teams can carry three two-way contracts. The final two-way could go to Neemias Queta, due to recent rule changes that would allow him to be held on a two-way for another year, or to another development project.
The biggest key is that these moves maintain cap flexibility for the remainder of free agency. Colby Jones won’t count against the cap until July 31st, and two-way contracts don’t impact the team’s cap space. Signing Keon Ellis also releases his cap hold, allowing more cap space for the moves to come.
Congrats young men. Let’s go fuck some shit up.
Purely from a basketball perspective, of course.
I like that not only we have a good team, we have players that are nice people who are easy to root for.
I also love the steady increase in BBIQ; a thing that Monte clearly values much more than previous GM’s.
Agreed.
Hmmm…………….
who are the most prominent losses from last year? T Davis and Metu.
Beam Team > DV Team?
Oh wait, Matt Barnes is still around for some reason. Can we get some spots for Ty Lawson and Darren Collison as analysts too?
Are they from Sacramento?
I really like that new 2nd round pick exception rule. It give a prospect a real opportunity for a long term deal and doesn’t hurt the cap to the team willing to invest in said player. From what I understand it also give the team full bird rights on that 2nd round pick, which is similar to the Gilbert Arenas rule. Basically the Kings can get Colby on a steal of a deal if he turns into a solid NBA player and then control his rights a full 4 years after his contract ends.
This new rule will make mining for diamonds in the 2nd round a priority. There is potentially far more value there than in late first round picks.
Agreed. The 4 year deal comes in at roughly $5m less than that of the 24 pick, while not immediately counting against the cap. A nice move.
Hmm so that’s why Vlade stockpiled so many second rounders. He was just ahead of his time. 🤔
Super picks, only second round.
Well done Scotty
Excellent points.
I think it also shows this FO has high expectations for Jones. They traded up for him and now give him this contract. I think he’ll be a spot contributor this year an improve as the season goes on and will be a rotational player by next year.
New episode of “The Run” is out! Documents the playoff series.
As opposed to the time pre Monte (Vivek backing off) known as….The Runs
As opposed to the time pre Monte (Vivek backing off) known as….The Ruin
Love the new 2nd round exception rule and I think with a player like Jones who many consider a steal where we got him, there’s a good chance that ends up a very useful pick. I know that none of the second rounders recently have worked out but I think he has a very real shot in a way I haven’t felt for most of the rest of them.
The FO traded up for him and now gave him this contract instead of a two way, so yeah I agree, there are high hopes for Jones.
I’d say Gary Trent Jr. has worked out quite nicely, if we are talking about Kings’ second round draft selections …
Tillman, KJ Martin and maybe J. Hardy.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Jones in summer league and finding out if he potentially has the chops to be the emergency PG for this team.
We are all Jones-ing to see if Jones can keep up with the NBA Joneses.
We get to see these guys play tonight on ESPN?
The Colby Jones contract is good. The last time the Kings did that with a 2nd round pick might have been Hassan Whiteside. Looks like he’ll take Delly’s spot.
Slawson on a 2-way seems reasonable. Like the article says, it allows him to play in both the nba and G league. Rooting for him to develop. His defense might be needed on this team.
if Jones can “take Delly’s spot” that’s great because he is far more versatile, longer and a better shooter. Saves the need for a backup PG.
I like the signings of these young players, but in general, some of the other salaries around the league are beyond ridiculous. I don’t look at $40 and $50 million/year for some of these players as something a normal society/culture would have. More power to these players, but the situation is so crazy, it’s not even real to me anymore.
I find that it helps to understand that even at these prices, the teams and the league are making money hand over fist. Labor creates the product being sold, and so should absolutely get the lion’s share of revenue.
It may be unsatisfying to someone with a college degree making $42k a year, but some types of talent are more highly valued than others. Those fortunate enough to have such skills should have the opportunity to make millions working for a business worth billions.
Now, if you want to talk about taxing all of the people of discussed at an appropriate rate, I’m all in. Infrastructure and largely-useless F-35 fighter jets at $120 million a pop aren’t going to buy themselves.
yep
What’s crazy is that if there were no caps or luxury taxes, the Saudis would buy a team and stack it with $100M/yr superstars.
Let’s not give them any ideas.
I agree, Wasn’t Westbrook getting over $40M/year not too long ago? Now he’s willing to play for less than $4M/yr. Cousins went from expecting a supermax to accepting end of bench vet minimum. I’m not saying I want the extra salary money going to the owners, but it would be nice if tickets, merch, and concessions were half price.
You’re definitely right about the ancillary products and tickets being too expensive. A family of four is likely in the neighborhood of $500 dollars for attending a game, and even so, the seats aren’t going to be particularly good.
As I said about the Maloofs, if your main stream of revenue is a professional sports franchise, you aren’t wealthy enough to own it, and you shouldn’t stick it to the fans to get well. The Kings do offer some decent deals from time to time, but if you’re working class, you can’t attend. Or middle class, realistically.
I don’t mind the players being wealthy, but it shouldn’t be a requirement for fans. There is middle ground.
I will say $13 for a huge helping of chicken tenders and more fries than you can possibly eat, with homemade ranch is probably the best, deal, and satisfying ball park food around. Just saying
I like Keon. Plays some serious defense.
The Jones signing makes sense- second round picks much easier to sign now. In theory, should be deep reserve but I would like to see him play some.
Kings still have some under the cap room and the Holmes trade exception. All the pundits are going pooh-pooh to Kings moves but they did that last year too.
the duds are given a better chance at “NBA title”.
Kings were interested in Torrey Craig as a long defender. He signed with the Bulls of all places.
H. Diallo still out there. and C. Wood
and what is the story with Duarte? I think it is a contract thing that cannot be revealed until after July 6. Have to decide if Kings are going to be over or under cap. He costs 4.1 M.
Q not signed to 2-wqay although despite his already having two of those contracts, he may still be eligible for a third. This keeps that slot open.
Hope they are not done yet. Marginal deals left.
Suns sure pulled in a great haul for their bench.
Keon is going to be an NBA player, I have no doubts about it. Great shooter, and defends like a madman.
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