The Sacramento Kings selected Jalen Slawson with the 54th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and signed Slawson to a Two-Way contract. The Two-Way contract allows teams to have players develop with heavy minutes in the G League, while also playing opportunistic minutes with the parent NBA club. For Slawson, that ended up being heavily skewed towards G League minutes. Although Slawson appeared in 12 games for the Sacramento Kings, he totaled just 37 minutes, for an average of 3.1 minutes per game.
In his brief appearances with Sacramento, Slawson averaged 0.7 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.2 assists. Its unsurprising that Slawson didn’t put up much in the stats department in such limited runs in Sacramento. A more telling indicator is his time with the Stockton Kings.
With Stockton, Slawson averaged 34.4 minutes per game, averaging 13 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals. Slawson’s highlights are filled with dazzling displays of athleticism:
But for all his physical gifts, Slawson struggles as a shooter. In the G League, he shot 26.4% from 3 on 3 attempts per game, and shot 47.8% overall.
At 24 years old, despite his size and athleticism, it’s hard to see a path for Slawson to find NBA success in the Kings organization. Mike Brown desperately needed options at the wing this past season, and yet Slawson still didn’t warrant extended run. Slawson performed well enough in the G League, especially for a late 2nd round pick, but I’m not getting my hopes up for him as a piece for Sacramento’s future.
He will make for nice depth in Stockton.
G league bench players make the difference for this team.
Is this the part where the Keon Ellis HOFer conversation begins?
No…some will definitely see the jersey and assume he is the key to championships and the franchise will die if he gets cut. Or think we can trade him for the 1989 version of Michael Jordan.
He will make for nice depth in
StocktonChina.I prefer my corn flakes with milk, thank you very much.
Another MM special.
An unathletic older player.
Unathletic? LOL
I was still dunking like that when I was 40.
Yeah. The obvious issue with this roster is a lack of length and elite atheticism. Perhaps I should have stated JS isn’t an elite athlete. Just my opinion, but that’s that’s the kind of players MM needs to target. Just look at the teams that are left playing right now, they have size and athletes.
The Nuggets have been one of the most unathletic teams in the NBA for years. The Warriors weren’t especially athletic either during their dynasty either.
This sounds like a new requirement that you just made up.
There’s no requirements, it’s just my opinion, and you have yours, as we all do.
The Nuggets 2 stars are unathletic type players but they made it a point to balance that with Gordon and KCP. Which is why many of us here have been pushing for MM to get a 4 that fits and makes sense next to Domas and KM.
Nobody here ever makes up requirements.
Have you seen the last 15 minutes?
I don’t remember ever seeing him. Sounds like you have seen him.
Is he not capable of running?
Who are the old unathletic guys MM has brought us?
23 to 24 is old for a rookie.
That is an odd metric.
slaWson and slaMson are the yin to each other’s yang
The Kings have only 1 second round pick this year so keeping Slawson around for another year on a two-way seems like an ok idea. I doubt Jordan Ford returns and Mason Jones is a possibility, so that definitely leaves one spot open. It may come down to who the Kings take in the second round and if he sticks.
On a side note, who as the last 2nd round pick the Kings drafted that stuck around and had an impact? IT? It seems to me the recent ones that were solid were traded away on draft night. Gary Trent Jr and Xavier Tillmen both went to other teams and have made a career for themselves. It’s been quite a dry spell for 2nd round picks in Sac. It’s kind of a bummer when you see so many 2nd round players making impacts on teams elsewhere.
To name a few the Kings could have had in recent years: Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed, Sam Merrill, Terrance Mann, Jarred Vanderbilt, Bruce Brown, De’Anthony Melton, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Dillon Brooks. In many cases the Kings had multiple opportunities to get some of those guys.
The 2014 NBA Draft.
Sacramento had the 8th pick and greedily snatched up a Michigan Wolverine who hailed from Canada. A saucy good selection, who some thought was the size of Klay with the shot of Curry. The who even recruited crowd source and local non-scouts to verify his masterful opinion. Good Times!
In that same draft, Sac had the 37th pick and traded it to the Toronto Raptors for James Johnson. Toronto chose DeAndre Daniels.
The 41st pick presently occupies the 5 spot for the Denver Nuggets and was born in Serbia, not Joking.
You hit some, you miss some. As you point out – Sac has many more misses than hits.
you know, we look back and can guffaw and curse at the unbridled audacity of The Little Chap – it’s called chutzpah by some – but just imagine if the luck of the player picked actually worked out!
We’d have to deal with the fallout of positive reinforcement and we’d likely be discussing a record 18th season of playoff drought.
Silver lining!
Jaden Hardy was drafted by the Kings and traded to the Mavs in draft night. He had some decent games for Dallas. But he essentially was picked by Dallas.
Seems like a lot of teams find rotational players in the 2nd round, the Kings are not one of them.
Undrafted players start for this team. We don’t need the draft.
Kings passed on Trace Jackson Davis to pick Slawson but TJD would not have signed due to desire for a full contract.JS is a reach. Doubt he makes the NBA, but his highlights look good.
I’d like more details on that. Can a player say “I won’t play for you unless you sign me to a regular contract,” especially when 2nd round picks don’t get guaranteed deals? I thought that was forbidden in the NBA draft. Maybe it’s time to have 2nd round picks to have fixed salary scales like the first round players do?
I was reading online something like that also. wanted to go lottery and at some point in the 1st round was telling teams not to draft him. it’s all hearsay. but I think that happens more frequently than we realize.
will be interesting to see how the draft goes this year with the 2nd round occurring the day after the 1st round.
Didn’t Austin Reeves to something similar? I hope this doesn’t mean that two-way deals and the G-league kill the second round because players don’t want their rights tied up to a team that may not sign them to a regular deal.
not sure. Austin Reeves was not on my radar so I wasn’t google searching him. no-one mentioned him on this site either.
I think the 2nd round has always been tricky like that. without the guaranteed contract, either side can walk away. so, actually, having a day between the 1st and 2nd round might help them figure it out, without compounding the chaos in the 1st round. I like the change.
Agents rule the draft
(to a large extent) IMO
Didn’t Sasha basically do that?
When he was originally drafted.
Last year was the first time 2nd round picks could sign guaranteed contacts similar to 1st round picks (like Colby Jones did). Agents negotiating with teams on contract specifics before drafting players in the 2nd round has happened for years. Hinkie drafted college players who were willing to agree to be domestic draft and stashes.
can they say that? yes, his agent, Mike Dunleavey’s brother, did exactly that. Said- I want the new second round sign option- sign a full contract with my drafting team and that’s what the duds did brother to brother.
Kings’ perspective- had 4 centers- DS, Quetta, Len and JaVale. This guy should have gone to G League as a two way but nope. He had connections’, while he rebounds, he can’t shoot away from the hoop. That said, I had him on my second-round list- at least in the Slawson slot.
Second round picks CAN sign full contracts with the mother team. C. Jones did that. I wonder if you can only do that once a year or something.
here’s a prospect to consider: Baylor Scheierman. questions about athleticism, sure. but in a weak draft, it’s a 6’7″ sniper who can dribble, pass, make plays, rebound, and run the pick n roll. he might seem kind of dorky, but it’s kind of cool to idolize Pistol Pete.
I mean, would anyone be surprised if he went out on an nba court surrounded by good teammates and dropped 20, 5 and 5 with good shooting percentages and a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio? I wouldn’t
Could be a tall Jimmer Freddete or Nick Stauskas 2.0 or the second coming of Jason Kapono
Could be Duncan Robinson 2.0 or the second coming of Joe Ingles
He’s 23 1/2 years old. He’s into the second round on “The Big Board”.
He’d likely get a higher billing if he was a EuroLeague player.
Who the heck knows? In the right system, he’s a win as a bench stalwart… or … he’s a Stockton King filler.
I have to believe that in the grand crapshoot GMs and their system (scouts, analytics) just don’t want to gamble too early or too late on any of these players.
I just know that my job or my reputation are unsullied by these picks.
Now- let’s see how this Knicks v Pacers game plays out…
the Pod-man at Golden State did okay. it’s a really weak draft.
the thing is, the Kings need a long switchable PF or a rim-protecting stretch 5 to play next to Sabonis. Is that player in this draft and available at #13? probably not.
Fox says every good team builds around 2 to 4 players and the rest is length and shooting. check. Sabonis says he needs to be surrounded by shooters at every position. check. team needs another playmaker in the bench unit if Monk leaves. check. team has to figure out how to continue scoring after the all-star break when the game gets more physical. check. Coach Brown wants more sprays. check.
Only issue is defense. He might need to play with a shot blocker. every team seems to have one. at least in the second unit, there will be one.
For the PW I like Jalen Smith. Kings can get him in FA. 6’10” can shoot the 3, can protect the weak side rim rebound and is a good shot blocker. Only 24 and rising.
yeah, that has been mentioned a lot here, and I think it is a good idea.
Yeah, mainly by Jack.
Give me your idea. Might be better. If so I’ll take it.
What price do you think for Jalen Smith? Would it take the BAE, or the full/partial MLE?
I don’t see the full MLE, so maybe they can use part of it on him and then another depth guy?
IMO it would take at least part of the mle. He makes about 5 mil. now and will opt out to go as a FA. What’s great he can play PW or center and is switchable.
here is the problem: “he can play PF or center” Problem is he does not play, he sits. Why? I would take Toppin or Siakem if he would sign.
We would never get Siakin without breaking the bank. I’d take Smith over Toppin. Smith can play different positions is younger and cheaper. In the middle of last years season Siakim went down and Smith filled in really well. Check out is 36 minutes stat. Will be surprised.
My idea would be not to mention him in every single thread. We got it after the first 20 mentions. Really.
But feel free to ignore.
Sorry but some commentators don’t use the thread everyday so when they ask I would like to mention him so they can look him up. If it bothers you then I can stop mentioning him. Your choice.
I know every player has a fit but Jalen Smith sits behind Turner, Siakem, I. Jackson and Toppin. He got benched.
Will he fit better in Sac?
At #13, there are possibilities for tall guys: Filipowski- 7 foot, some blocks and can shoot at 3 levels. Thin and weak. Ke’el Ware – 7 foot or above, some shooting skill, blocks shots. Thin and weak, DaSilva- shorter at 6/10 maybe can shoot, D is questionable. and Kidjane Saluan- 6/10 and can shoot, does not rebound, is, like 18 so needs time.
All except Ware could play next to DS. Kings are missing this skill set.
I fear that if MM does not sign they try to draft his replacement at #13. but it took MM 5 years to become good Monk
Monte Morris is a good second unit play-maker if MM goes and some of the redundant guard aster traded for big name.
IMO an established player would be better for someone you are going to get at #13.
Scheierman is Sasha 2.0, hopefully without the injury bug. I think a good get in the second round
I’m thinking as a possibility at #13 actually.
Although one can compare Scheierman and Sasha in their shooting, rebounding, processing, and athleticism, what Scheierman also can provide is ball handling, passing, playmaking, and a pick n roll game in the manner of a Pistol Pete disciple. It would be a nice ingredient to add to the team.
He is Monk insurance for playmaking off the bench.
You come up with some random players that are projected to be mid 2nd round picks or possibly undrafted and want to take them at #13.
Haha. I changed my mind on Harrison Ingram. I would not consider him at 13, but he might be a late first with a Royce O’Neale outcome if he can shoot set threes at a good percentage. Total bust if he doesn’t.
It’s not absurd to look at players projected in the 2nd. Jalen Williams was a 2nd rounder until the combine and then got drafted 12. Jaime Jaquez 18. Christian Braun was a late riser on the draft board. Happens every year.
We know Scheireman is a shooter and a playmaker at 6’7″. that is fact.
I still like Ja’Kobe Walter, McCain, Da Silva, and maybe Kel’el Ware if the shot seems legit.
We will see in the next few weeks, post-combine and when individual workouts happen. Some of the “higher” ranked guys will drop, and some others will get more consideration.
agree with Hobby. and add Filipowski and Saluan but he is rising and IMO will be gone by 13, despite the tender age of 18.
Edey is rising !
Ware probably can’t play with DS but adds lob threat and shot blocking.
Kings have 6-7 guards and unless MM leaves and some of the others are traded, why add another guard even if BPA?
Regarding the guards, even if Monk returns, Huerter, Jones, and Davion need to be upgraded and/or the team needs find guard that can combine their size and skill.
McCain can handle the ball, shoot, and plays solid defense. So I like him over Davion, who has been disappointing.
Walter is a shooter with playmaker potential, and a solid worker defensively (albeit he isn’t great on that end). He also has length, with room to grow his skills.
BPA is subjective, and I hope McNair gets a good one at #13.
IMO most of those guards will be traded along with #13 to secure more established players.
I like Salaun also. Physically he looks like Sochan while at Baylor. Maybe even more athletic and could still be growing. promising shooter. fixable issues on D like ball watching.
regarding your question of why to draft a guard, I think the two priorities this offseason are (1) resigning Monk and/or adding another playmaker who can shoot and run the pick n roll, (2) upgrading PF, and (3) adding more talent. I’m not sure an upgrade at PF will be available at #13. So that might have to be accomplished through free agency or trade. I think Scheierman would solve #1 as Monk insurance, and if Monk stays, he’s still a talented player.
McCain is a shooter and that has to be considered. But if you’re looking at a 6’2″ shooter who mostly plays off the ball and does not move like Curry, why not look at a 6’7″ shooter who is a better playmaker and can also run the pick n roll.
I like Da Silva as a 1st rounder, but I don’t think he adds anything that the team does not already have in Huerter and HB.
Ware seems like he’ll be a headache for whoever drafts him. highlights look great, but watching him play is another story. I don’t get the appeal for Walter.
at 13????? gosh no, way too high. Get size at 13.
yeah, he and Salaun are in my top 13. After looking at the players projected to go in the top 11, I bet they’ll be in my top 10.
Love the intensity of the Knicks – Pacers series. Every attempt to get a shot up is a struggle to get a sliver of space. Every rebound is an actual battle. Just going nonstop at it for 48 minutes.
Like having 10 Domases on the court every damn possession.
There’s a reason why those teams are still playing, in the Knicks case, injuries be damned. They got dogs!
Even the Mavs, tanking for the pick that landed Lively and then trading for Gafford and PJ got them some dogs. Dogs turn non-dogs into dogs with their relentlessness. Kyrie and Luka are actually playing good D, especially Kyrie. It’s wild how a few shrewd moves can change a team so quickly.
MM take notes.
LOL
Mature.
The clarity and depth of detail in your comments sets a new standard.
And we’d probably improve our free-throw shooting!
I thought Air Bud was headed to Phoenix
I’m just hoping the L****s commit “malpractice” by hiring JJ Redick as their HC!
That would be epic. One can only hope.
They already have a head coach. That hasn’t changed in a long time.
“I’ll give the Lakers coaching search committee free advice today – LeBron isn’t a superstar anymore and AD will never be one. Now be sure to use those Truths when evaluating candidates and u might select someone u keep for longer than two szns!”
-George Karl
How about Walton? He was a Laker.
2 years is a long time? Probably not in the Lakers case.
Moves ?? Siakem to Pacers. OG to Knicks and the new Mavs. Does make a difference
These second round playoffs series have been so Trick or Treat – I feel like Forrest Gump should be on the pundit shows
&ct=g
It certainly makes for a wonderful attraction-
unless it’s another blow out!
Two maybe three game 7’s, I’ll take it.
Badge Legend