Source: Kings decline to extend qualifying offer to Donte DiVincenzo. Here’s what it means
Donte DiVincenzo’s days in Sacramento could be coming to an end.
The Kings declined to extend a qualifying offer to the 25-year-old guard, which will make him an unrestricted free agent when free agency begins Thursday, a league source told The Sacramento Bee, confirming a report from ESPN 1320’s James Ham.
The Kings could have made DiVincenzo a restricted free agent with a $6.6 million qualifying offer, which would have given them the right to match any offer he receives from another team. Sacramento could still try to negotiate a new deal with DiVincenzo, but he will receive significant interest in the free-agent market and the Kings will not have the right of first refusal.
The Kings acquired DiVincenzo from the Milwaukee Bucks at the February trade deadline as part of a four-team deal that sent Marvin Bagley III to the Detroit Pistons. DiVincenzo appeared in 25 games for Sacramento, averaging 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 36.2% from the field and 36.8% from 3-point range.
The Kings nearly acquired DiVincenzo in a sign-and-trade deal for Bogdan Bogdanovic in November 2020, but that trade was void amid tampering allegations against the Bucks. Kings general manager Monte McNair joked that he liked DiVincenzo so much he traded for him twice. DiVincenzo said he was happy to finally be in Sacramento, but the relationship soured amid reports that he was unhappy with his role as a backup, feeling the Kings were trying to suppress his free-agent value.
DiVincenzo was being projected as a possible starter next season. His departure would add to questions at the shooting guard position in Sacramento, but the Kings still have options. They have Terence Davis, Davion Mitchell and Justin Holiday, each of whom has started in the past.
The Kings could also make a trade or sign someone in free agency. They don’t have any salary cap space, but they can offer the $10.3 million mid-level exception or the $4 million biannual exception.
This story was originally published June 29, 2022 at 2:37 PM.
