How Matthew Dellavedova, Chima Moneke, KZ Okpala survived final cuts with Sacramento Kings
Matthew Dellavedova came to Sacramento in hopes of reviving his NBA career after injuries sent him home to Australia for a year. KZ Okpala came looking for a second chance. Chima Moneke just needed an opportunity.
After two grueling weeks of intense competition in training camp, all three got what they wanted. Dellavedova, Okpala and Moneke survived the final round of cuts Saturday as the Kings finalized their roster for Wednesday’s season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, a league source told The Sacramento Bee.
Sam Merrill was waived along with Alex O’Connell and Jeriah Horne, sources said. The Kings hold G League rights to O’Connell and Horne after signing them to Exhibit 10 contracts. Both are expected to play for the G League Stockton Kings.
ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks noted Dellavedova, Okpala and Moneke will see increases in their contract protections once Wednesday’s waiver deadline passes. Dellavedova’s one-year, $2.6 million deal will be guaranteed for $250,000 (fully guaranteed Jan. 10). The first years of Okpala’s two-year, $4 million deal and Moneke’s two-year, $2.7 million deal will be guaranteed for $500,000 (fully guaranteed Jan. 10).
All three players will have reason to rejoice at Fan Fest at 2 p.m. Sunday at Golden 1 Center. The annual event will feature an open practice session, skills challenges involving players and coaches, a rookie talent show and an inaugural 3-on-3 National Cup tournament.
Making the team in Sacramento represents a major step in Moneke’s career. It also provides a homecoming of sorts for the 26-year-old forward who went undrafted after leading UC Davis to the NCAA Tournament in 2018. Moneke spent the past four years overseas, playing professionally in France and Spain while awaiting his first big break in the NBA.
Okpala, 23, is a 6-8 forward with a 7-2 wingspan and a reputation as a versatile defender. He appeared in 63 games over three seasons with the Miami Heat after coming out of Stanford as the 32nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for draft considerations in February and released two days later.
Kings coach Mike Brown got to know Okpala and Moneke well during their time together with the Nigerian national team. Known for their defensive prowess, both players spent time guarding LeBron James in a 133-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, helping the Kings hold James to 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
“As training camp has gone on, (Moneke) is trending upwards,” Brown said. “I think the initial shock of being in the NBA and the speed and athleticism and all that stuff caught him off guard a little bit, but he belongs on this level and he can help us. I think KZ, too. Both of those guys were two of my first calls, even before I really got the job.”
Dellavedova also has a history with Brown. The 32-year-old guard began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013-14 when Brown was the head coach. Dellavedova spent three seasons with the Cavaliers and three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks before returning to Cleveland for a second stint.
Dellavedova was limited to 36, 57 and 13 games over his final three seasons in Cleveland while suffering various injuries and other issues, including whiplash, a concussion, a neck strain and an emergency appendectomy. He chose to attempt a comeback in the NBA following a good season with Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League.
Brown said having Dellavedova is like having a coach on the floor who is capable of pushing point guards De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell to be better.
“If Davion ain’t going hard, he will get embarrassed by Delly,” Brown said. “If Fox isn’t going hard, he will get embarrassed by Delly. To have a guy like that raises the level of intensity.”
This story was originally published October 16, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
