With the NBA roster currently over the limit at 16 players, the Sacramento Kings are working to add a few more pieces to the puzzle. NBC Sports California has confirmed that Sacramento is planning to ink rookie forward, Wenyen Gabriel, to one of their two, two-way contract slots.
Gabriel dropped by Sacramento during the pre-draft process and impressed the Kings’ front office enough to earn a longer look. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound combo-forward out of the University of Kentucky spent time with the Kings’ summer league team, both during the California Classic at Golden 1 Center and during Las Vegas Summer League.
The 21-year-old posted 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game in Vegas. He will provide organizational depth at the small and power forward positions. Gabriel can spend up to 45 days with the Kings during the regular season.
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Last year Sacramento used the NBA’s new two-way contract to their advantage, pulling JaKarr Sampson and Jack Cooley back and forth between the parent club and the franchise’s G-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns.
Sacramento extended a two-way qualifying offer to Sampson, but have yet to sign the forward to a new deal. Cooley is on his way to Italy, where he will play for the Dinamo Sassari this season.
The Bighorns have since been relocated to Stockton and they plan to train at the Kings’ former practice facility in Natomas.
NBA.com’s David Aldridge was first with the news of Gabriel’s signing.
