Kings waive Nerlens Noel, Neemias Queta, add Jordan Ford on training camp deal

ESPN 1320/Kings Beat note: In case you missed the news, I have a new show on ESPN 1320. Beginning last week, Kyle Madson and I have joined forces for “The Insiders.“ The show airs Monday-Friday from 10am-Noon. You can listen on ESPN 1320, the Audacy App or join the Chatty House on Youtube.

The Kings Beat isn’t going anywhere. This new role fits perfectly into the schedule and will still allow me to make it to practice and games as I begin my fourteenth year of Sacramento Kings coverage. In addition, this will strengthen and help sustain what we do here at The Kings Beat moving forward, including writing, and of course, podcasting with Sean and Brenden.

On another note, make sure to send out your congrats to Brenden Nunes. He has taken on a new role as a full-time writer and editor for Sactown Sports 1140. He has been given the thumbs up to continue here at The Kings Beat, which is a win-win for everyone!

Thank you for your continued support!

-James

When you are trying to create a consistent winner, you have to take a bold approach. Sometimes that means changing direction when an opportunity arises.

The Sacramento Kings solidified their center position early in free agency when they brought back Alex Len and small-ball option Trey Lyles to back up All-NBA big man Domantas Sabonis. General manager Monte McNair continued to build out the position during the summer, adding veteran Nerlens Noel, and G League stand out Neemias Queta.

A training camp battle looked set with Noel and Queta potentially fighting it out for one more spot on the roster, but then something unexpected happened. When the Dallas Mavericks decided to waive and then stretch provision JaVale McGee, the ripple effect reached all the way to the Golden 1 Center.

The Kings snatched up McGee on a league minimum one-year deal ten days ago and on Tuesday, the team made the difficult decision to pare down the roster. A league source has confirmed to The Kings Beat that both Noel and Queta are being waived by the team so they have an opportunity to catch on somewhere else before training camp starts in early October.

Noel never played a minute in a Kings uniform, but he will walk away with $300,000 in guaranteed cash from his one-year deal. Queta, who played the last two seasons on a two-way contract with the Kings, will take home $250,000 for his troubles.

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