This afternoon we’re rounding up news on a couple former Kings players.
Kessler Edwards
Kessler Edwards is joining the Dallas Mavericks on a Two-Contract, according to a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania:
Free agent F Kessler Edwards has agreed on a two-way NBA contract with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Edwards has averaged 3.5 points and 11.9 minutes across three seasons for Nets and Kings. pic.twitter.com/qJTF7Jvila
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 26, 2024
Edwards spent the last season and a half in Sacramento, and appeared in 54 games last season (a much higher number than I would have guessed). Edwards played solid defense in his limited minutes, but struggled to find consistency on the offensive end. I think it’s a really good signing for the Mavericks, especially on a Two-Way. It’s also a great opportunity for Kessler, as the Two-Way will give him more of an opportunity to play in the G League and continue to develop his game.
Who knows if Kessler would have been willing to return to the Kings on a Two-Way contract, but I would not have been mad about that at all. Doing so would have first required the Kings to waive or convert one of Mason Jones, Isaac Jones, or Isaiah Crawford, who currently are on Two-Ways. I suspect taking a Two-Way contract is easier to accept if you weren’t on the team’s main roster the year before, and if your new team was in the Finals last season.
Jordan Ford
Former Sacramento Kings Two-Way player Jordan Ford has signed a one-year contract to play with Aquila Basket Trento in Italy, according to a report from Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype. Ford spent last season on a Two-Way contract with the Sacramento Kings, but saw limited minutes in Sacramento. Ford appears in just 6 games, for a total of 22 minutes of action, averaging 2 points, 0.3 assists, and 0.3 rebounds per game. In 24 games for the Stockton Kings, Ford put up 15.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.3% from beyond the arc on nearly 6 attempts per game.
Ford had signed on the New Orleans Pelicans for Summer League, and given Sacramento’s glut of guard and lack of an open Two-Way slot it’s not surprising that Ford is not returning to the Kings organization. I know folks around here were rooting for Ford to land on an NBA squad somewhere, but signing overseas indicates that was unlikely. Instead of returning to the G League and hoping for a call up, Ford likely gets a nice payday and gets to enjoy a year abroad.
Seeing Ford on the floor for Sacramento was fun, it’s always great when a local kid can make it. We’ll continue to root for Ford and wish him the best.
Of course that total includes about a dozen games when Kessler saw less than a minute of court time!
Good luck to my all-time favorite King.
Good luck to them.
So what is our long, athletic forward depth chart?
Keegan, Lyles and ????
Yeah man exactly, besides them it’s just mostly guards and 3 bigs. Not sure if McDaniels is still good anymore, and I guess Huerter & DD can play can play forward but still. Monte should make a deal for Cam/DFS or sign someone like Covington/Crowder for depth at that spot.
Cam Thomas? He’s like 6”4. We need a big guy that can bang and protect the rim. Not sure Covington or Crowder move the needle much, at this point in their careers.
I think he meant Cam Johnson. 6’8″ versatile wing who can guard 3s or 4s and can shoot. I’d be so happy if the Kings could get him for Huerter + stuff
More Cams in the NBA than OnlyFans.
OnlyCams
Oh that Cam? We ain’t getting him.
Cam’t
A DFS for Huerter swap would seem to make sense, but I think Huerter has slightly more value than Dorian. I don’t see why Monte would give up Huerter and draft assets for DFS.
I’m still waiting for some kind of shoe to drop in New Orleans. As of today, with Ingram still on the roster, the Pels will be bringing Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones off the bench (which is just stupid) all while starting a rookie at center. I feel they are still going to make moves. Ayton for Ingram makes a lot of sense, bu maybe additional pieces would be moved. Maybe the Kings can get in on something there.
By butt-pulled idea:
To Pels: Ayton
To Blazers: Ingram and Huerter
To Kings: Thybulle and Camara
Just adding, I’d love to Camara as a bench 3 and D PF.
Showing my ignorance: why isn’t this just two two-team trades? Ayton to NO in exchange for Ingram. Huerter to Blazers in exchange for Thybulle and Camara? How is this a three-team trade?
I like the idea of Ingram.
Ingram is damn near mathematically impossible. It would take the salaries of Huerter, Lyles and Keegan to match.
So we shouldn’t think that Brandon’s in the running?
He has been mathematically impossible since the Derozan deal. I still like him.
Maybe Monte has a deal he can pull off?
Sure. Monk and Huerter for Ingram.
Jones loses value off bench.
Totally agree. He should be starting, as should Murphy, but the Pels are just too deep on the wing.
Full admission, I’d offer a couple of firsts for Jones. The dude makes a fraction of what Mikal and OG make, but is a better defender.
Just read a couple of trade ideas thru Bleacher Report. One for Kuminga and the other for Cam Jphnson. Considering age, contracts, length of contracts etc which one would you want Kuminga or Johnson?
Probably Kuminga, because of age, contract, and control. He also has the raw strength of a guy like Aaron Gordon, while Cam Johnson is like Ingram in terms of size and strength.
I’m your Huckleberry.
Being in his now 4th year, this is the last opportunity for Edwards to be on a two-way deal. This could very well be his last shot at the league. Good luck to him.
I didn’t even realize Kessler had been in the league that long already.
It is good to see the Kings move on from these players. Also great to see these players continue their pursuit of playing basketball and getting paid to do so. More room for young bigs.
I liked Kessler but there may just not be enough room for him. And I doubt he would accept a demotion from big team to 2 way on Kings.
Guards: Fox, KH, Monk, Ellis, Jones, Mac and Carter (7)
Centers – DS, Len and OR (3)
3/4- Keegan, DDR, Lyles. Jalen (4)
That’s 14- only one more spot.
Lost JaVale, Mitchel, Sasha, Duarte and HB
Gained: Carter, Mac, DDR, OR and Jalen plus Edwards with one open spot.
Too many guards but had 7 last year too.
I liked Edwards but signing him to the last slot would have taken the Kings to the edge of or over the apron. With Carter unproven and hurt, they needed Mac. OR an improvement over JaVale, HB exchanged for DDR and Sasha for Jalen.
I think there is another move in the works- post Aug 27, Jalen + somebody will be moved. Edwards would have helped at the 3/4 but the downside in terms of salary cap inflexibility was high.
I would rather have OR than Edwards.
I would like to have C, Johnson, DFS or Kuzma as well. Ingrahm out of picture and Markenon not in it.
if no trades occur, how does Covington or Crowder look on vets minimum? over the cap apron.
Kings signing Boogie Ellis to compete for a roster spot in training camp.
Badge Legend