Recently, the Sacramento Kings employed an interesting strategy to bolster their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings, by signing and then waiving Antoine Davis, Shareef O’Neal, and Drew Timme. This process, while seemingly counterintuitive, is a clever way for NBA teams to secure G League rights for promising players. Initially, the Kings signed these players to NBA contracts, and shortly after, they waived them. This maneuver allows Sacramento to obtain their G League rights while also making the players eligible for bonuses of up to $77,500 if they spend at least 60 days with the Stockton Kings.
Antoine Davis played for Portland’s G League team last season, averaging 14.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 44 games before having his rights traded to the Kings earlier this month. Shareef O’Neal, the son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, played for G League Ignite in 2022/23 and participated in the Next Up Game at the 2023 All-Star Weekend. Drew Timme, a former standout at Gonzaga, played for the Wisconsin Herd last season, with the Kings recently acquiring his returning player rights in a trade.
This strategy demonstrates the Kings’ commitment to developing talent through their G League system. By securing these players for Stockton, they create a pipeline for potential future NBA talent while maintaining flexibility with their main roster. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward approach that could pay dividends for the organization in the long run.