For our season review series, we’re reviewing each player who ended the season with the Sacramento Kings. With a player like Louis King, that poses a particular challenge. King played just 6 for Sacramento, for a total of just 85 minutes on the court. In fact, if it wasn’t for the final two games of the season, we likely could have ignored Louis King entirely in this exercise and it’s unlikely anybody would have noticed.
In King’s first four games with Sacramento, he totaled under 24 minutes of play, and averaged 1.3 points per game. These were uneventful minutes in garbage time.
In the final two games of the season King was given extended run and a chance to show what he could do. King’s best game was in the next to last game of the year, against the Memphis Grizzlies. King finished with an eye-catching 27 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. In the final game of the season King had a less impressive but still notable 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.
So what do we take away from two good games when Sacramento had nothing left to play for?
We’ve seen bench players have big games at the end of the season. Whether it’s been Skal Labissiere or Ike Diogu, Kings fans know that two games do not make a career. Louis King proved he’s a talented basketball player in the same way that every NBA player is among the top 425-or-so basketball players in the world.
Louis King has likely earned himself a second look with the Kings, although it would probably come in the G League. King came to the Kings on a two-way contract, but according to Spotrac it was only a one-year agreement. King likely will not receive a qualifying offer, but could be offered another two-way contract by Sacramento. If King is inclined to accept, I would not be surprised to see the Kings bring him back to play with the Stockton Kings. In his introductory media session, new Stockton Kings coach Bobby Jackson indicated he expects to have King on the roster.
Louis King has shown glimpses of potential, but he still hasn’t proven that he belongs in Sacramento’s rotation. But he has certainly shown enough for Kings fans to hope he ends up in Stockton next year so the organization can get a better look at him.
As one of these asses I concur… I find evaluation tough for King on the Kings.
Louis King is close to Lose Kings. For that reason alone, he must be re-signed.
“The Ike Diogu Effect” is a real thing with this franchise.
Unlike the situation with Diogu, at least we would not be offering big contract to Louis King.
Can’t mention Ike without dusting this one off…
Like I said before, I really like the addition of Louis King.
He is aggressive, with long arm, can shoot and can drive, decent ball handling skill, can push with the ball.
I do hope he can come back with the Sac_Kings.
If Harkless is not coming back, just hand the backup SF job to Louis King, he may surprise some people.
PG: Fox, Wright
SG: Tyrese, Davis
SF: Cade/Kuminga , Harkless/King
PF: Barnes, Metu
C: Jones
(I assumed both Bagley and Hield are gone)
I like how you have Cade/Kuminga slotted in there at the starting SF spot. Optimism at its finest.
Have a thumbs-up for the optimism of assuming both Buddy & Bags “are gone.”
You also didnt mention Holmes ðª
If Cade is forreal, Barnes will look even better. I’ll add some more optimism ºï¸, get us a C like Capela and i would like that team!
I think the fact this article is tagged with “G League” may be prescient.
I wasn’t fooled by Ike Diogu, I was by Skal. Louis King is different. I don’t think they should let him go.
Otis I think anyone who still says tanking doesn’t work should be forced to read these G-league player summaries over and over and ov…..
Another nice pick up. He showed a lot in that Memphis game.
Louis Kang
Louis Kong’s
Interesting player and would be worth a 2 way contract !
2-way deal or a camp invite is about all he should get at this point.
Question for the many smarter than me, since King was on a 2-way deal at the end of the season do the Kings control his rights?
Grade: Incomplete. Too small sample size. Two-way deal?
The Sun-Kings are no longer, but now we’ve got the Sun King reincarnated.
I remember going to his palace in Versailles when I was in France five years ago….that garden is HUGE.
It’s not the size that matters, it’s the landscaping and grooming.
Doncic – 2 consecutive first round playoff exits
Bagley – Undefeated in the playoffs.
So depressing. Checking this website to see player reviews of nobodies while our guy Bogi is going off in the second round of the playoffs. So depressing. So lame.
Sad that the Kings have so many players on the roster that just barely make it on any NBA roster. One day the Kings might have a roster that does not fluctuate between G league and possible NBA bench player. Looking forward to having bench players that clearly belong in the NBA.
Nothing against King as an athlete.
Of the prospects I like at the 3 spot for the Kings, I would only rank 1)Moses Moody 2)Keon Johnson, 3)Franz Wagner, and 4)Josh Giddey as the players with a strong potential to out-perform Louis King over the next 3-4 year period covered by todays NBA contracts. I think Barnes and Jalen Johnson end up playing the 4.
I see a very strong case for finding a way to sign Louis King. I don’t see any Ike Diogu comps. King displays an array of skills guys like Diogu and Skal never did. Guys like King are valuable in todays game and at 22 I think it would be a shame to let him walk for anything less than a couple million. For perspective, RWIII and Ramsey will both make about 1.5 mil., and J. James will get about 1.7. Louis King is as valuable as any of these three IMO.
Damian Jones will make just under 2 mil, next season. I feel this is closer to being in line with Louis Kings value as a player with proven NBA exp. This would have to come after a deal with Holmes is done as to not absorb cap space I believe.
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