The Sacramento Kings were among several teams that made an offseason splash, picking up DeMar DeRozan in a trade. The Kings also re-signed 6th-man sensation Malik Monk.
Still, Sacramento has an open roster and some training camp spots available. The Kings are planning to work out a few veterans this week. Could they earn a shot?
According to Sean Cunningham of FOX 40 Sacramento, the Kings have invited Isaiah Thomas, Tony Bradley, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Lonnie Walker IV to engage “in competitive workouts” with some of the team this week.
Sacramento Has Open Roster Spots, Kings Bringing In Several Veterans “For Competitive” Workouts
Thomas has struggled to stay in the NBA since earning his second consecutive all-star appearance in 2016-16. The 35-year-old guard is on the smallish side, standing at 5-8 and weighing 185 pounds, which makes it tough for him defensively.
While Thomas competes fiercely on that end of the floor, he is more of an offensive player. He is more of a scorer but is a good distributor and ball-handler. He possesses an excellent mid-range range and is a 36.3% 3-point shooter.
Thomas appeared in six games late in 2023-24 after not finding an NBA team in 2022-23. He scored eight points in 19 minutes for the Suns while shooting 30% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.
Sacramento’s workout is Thomas’ second of the summer, as he worked out with the Milwaukee Bucks in mid-July. The Kings selected him with the N0. 60 overall pick in 2011, and he spent three seasons with the organization.
“I’m a free agent right now…talking to a few teams trying to see what the best opportunity is down the line,” Thomas told ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth. “I want to play a year or two more. Just staying on the slow grind. Staying patiently ready. Knowing that I can impact an organization whether I play or not, and be super impactful each and every day. So, I’m just waiting for the call.”
Tony Bradley
Bradley has struggled to stay consistent in an NBA rotation. The 2017 late first-round draft pick spent the entire 203-24 campaign in the G-League after being waived by Dallas during training camp.
Bradley is outstanding around the rim on both ends of the floor. He possesses solid athleticism and size and thrives on the glass. He is also a strong interior and rim-protector.
Like Thomas, Bradley is at least a G-League+ player (he is better than a G-League player but not quite a sure-fire NBA player). That doesn’t mean the 26-year-old won’t be able to find a team, he is essentially the 14th or 15th best player on a team.
Bradley also played well for the Philadelphia 76ers summer league team this summer.
Juan Toscano-Anderson
Toscano-Anderson has worked his butt off to earn an NBA chance. The 31-year-old wing, who appeared in 52 NBA games in 2022-23, split time between Sacramento and G-League’s Mexico City this past season.
Known for his defensive ability and versatility, Toscano-Anderson is not much of an offensive threat. Toscano-Anderson is at his best as a slasher and is an excellent defensive rebounder. He is also a G-League+ player.
Lonnie Walker IV
Surprisingly, Walker is on the open market. The 25-year-old wing has been a rotational player since his second NBA season, starting over 25% of his appearances, and has shown the ability to take over games offensively. He is a good finisher at the rim and a solid perimeter shoot—- averaging 1.4 treys a game while shooting it at a career 35.4% clip.
Walker averaged 9.8 points and a career-high 1.8 3-pointers with shooting splits of 42.3%/38.4%/76.3% for the Brooklyn Nets. He scored in double-figures in 28 of 58 contests, topping the 20-point plateau eight times.
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento has 14 players on standard contracts and has filled all three of its two-way spots. Rookie Boogie Ellis has inked a training camp deal, leaving the Kings with three training camp spots open. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Ellis is expected to compete for a roster spot.
More pertinently, of the 14 players on standard contracts, only 12 are fully guaranteed. Orlando Robinson has a partially guaranteed deal ($500,000), while Keon Ellis’ deal is not guaranteed.
Ellis showed massive improvement in year two and was very good in the 21 games he started for Kevin Huerter. So, expect him to make the opening night roster.
Still, Walker would be an ideal fit. The Kings need to add depth on the wing and backcourt, and first-round pick Devin Carter, who has a torn labrum, will be out until January.
If the Kings sign Walker, he would immediately be inserted into the Kings’ second unit as the primary backup for DeRozan at small forward while also serving as the Kings’ fourth guard. Plus, Sacramento could add Walker and carry 15 players while still being below the first apron.
