Kings sign Keon Ellis and Jalen Slawson to two-way contracts. What about Neemias Queta?
The Kings signed Keon Ellis and Jalen Slawson to two-way contracts Sunday, but Neemias Queta’s future with the organization remains unclear.
The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement allows teams to carry as many as three two-way players. Sacramento still has one two-way spot available.
The Kings brought Ellis in on a two-day deal last season after he went undrafted out of Alabama. The 6-foot-5 guard appeared in 16 games for Sacramento, averaging 1.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.3 steals in 4.4 minutes per game. He had his best outing in a Feb. 5 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, posting 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 16 minutes.
Ellis, 23, appeared in 23 games for the G League Stockton Kings. He averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals for Stockton, where he posted impressive shooting numbers. Ellis shot 51.7% from the field, 44.4% from 3-point range and 78.4% at the free-throw line.
The Kings selected Slawson, a 6-7 forward from Furman, with the 54th overall pick in the second round of June’s NBA draft. Slawson, 23, averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks as a senior at Furman. He helped the Paladins upset fourth-seeded Virginia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Ellis, Slawson and Queta are all part of Sacramento’s summer league roster as the Kings prepare to play the Golden State Warriors in the California Classic on Monday at Golden 1 Center. Queta’s future beyond that is still uncertain.
The Kings selected Queta, a 7-foot center from Portugal, with the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He has spent two seasons with the Kings organization on two-way deals. His third season will be the final year he is eligible for a two-way contract.
Queta, 23, has appeared in a total of 20 games over two seasons with the Kings, averaging 2.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 5.8 minutes per game. Queta was a force at the G League level, where he averaged 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 29 games last season while shooting 68% from the field. He was runner-up for the G League MVP award.
This story was originally published July 2, 2023 at 8:48 PM.
