With training camp now underway, one of the more interesting names in Sacramento’s mix is G League guard Tristen Newton. The Kings invited him to camp, and that puts the young point guard in position to compete for what looks like the team’s final two-way spot.
Newton’s NBA path has been quiet so far, but there’s been plenty of production at the other levels. After helping UCONN win back-to-back NCAA championships, he went deep in the 2024 second round to the Pacers. That stop ended quickly when Indiana waived him.
From there, Newton spent time with the Wolves and the Rockets, and in both cases he mostly played with their G League affiliates. That’s where he’s made his mark. Rather than fading into the background, he turned himself into a real force in the G League, enough to earn All-NBA G League First Team honors in 2026.
That kind of resume clearly stood out to Sacramento. The Stockton Kings traded for him during the offseason, and now he’s in the Kings’ training camp with a chance to stick.
There’s also a clean basketball fit here. Newton already has a built-in connection with rookie Alex Karaban, his former UCONN teammate and championship partner. That kind of familiarity can matter, especially for a team trying to build chemistry while it sorts through young pieces.
The guard depth chart also makes Newton easier to understand as a target. Sacramento is set to start Darius Acuff Jr. with Ben Simmons backing him up, but after that the options thin out quickly. A young combo guard on a two-way deal would give the Kings some needed insurance.
And this isn’t just a developmental swing. Newton can play.
He’s a three-level scorer with deep range, he rebounds well for his size, and he sees the floor as a passer. He also brings real defensive value, using anticipation and positioning to impact plays both on and off the ball.
For a rebuilding team, that combination has obvious appeal. Newton’s relationship with Karaban and his all-around skill set make him a logical candidate to begin on a two-way contract, get comfortable in Sacramento’s system, and eventually work toward a standard NBA deal.
In Other News...
Kings Interest In Jalen Duren Just Got A Lot More Serious
Jalen Durens contract situation in Detroit has suddenly become one of the more interesting plot lines on Sacramentos radar. After declining a five-year offer from the Pistons, he is now in a stalemate with the team as Thursdays deadline to accept a one-year qualifying offer approaches. For the Kings, that only sharpens the appeal of a big man who has already drawn mutual interest from Sacramento, whether through a trade or a future free-agent pursuit.
The catch is the same one that has shadowed Sacramentos pursuit from the start: the Kings do not have the cap room to sign Duren to a max deal right now. So the focus has turned to creating a path, and that has reportedly included exploring a Domantas Sabonis trade to clear the necessary space. If Sacramento can get that flexibility, Duren becomes a much more realistic target either before or during the 2026 season, or when he reaches free agency in 2027. [Read more 🡒]
Kings New-Look Roster Is Already Fueling A Brutal 2026-27 Debate
On The Matt George Podcast, Josh Lloyd of Locked On Fantasy Basketball took a long look at where the Kings could be headed in 2026-27, and his read was not exactly comforting. He pointed to the possibility of defensive issues lingering on a roster that is still trying to sort out its identity, even as the front office adds new pieces and hopes the fit improves.
Lloyd also raised questions about whether newcomers Darius Acuff Jr. and DeAndre Hunter will live up to the expectations attached to them, which only adds to the uncertainty around Sacramentos next step. And if the Kings do decide Domantas Sabonis is part of the answer they want to move off of, Lloyd suggested they may have to be more realistic about the trade return than they would like. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Face A Costly Zach LaVine Decision After The Deadline
Sacramentos post-deadline planning may end up being just as tricky as the deadline itself. The Kings are weighing whether Zach LaVines contract is too expensive to keep carrying, especially with the team trying to manage its finances while still staying competitive. His looming player option for next season, worth $48.9 million, makes the decision even more delicate, because any path the Kings choose has ripple effects beyond this year.
Scott Perry also has to decide whether patience can turn into value. Keeping LaVine through the deadline could give the Kings a better chance to build his market, but a buyout would open up a roster spot and create more room for younger players such as rookie Emanuel Sharp. It leaves Sacramento trying to thread a narrow needle, balancing short-term wins against the longer view of developing its young core. [Read more 🡒]