The Sacramento Kings have announced a trade involving forward Jalen McDaniels, sending him along with their 2031 second-round pick and cash considerations to the San Antonio Spurs. This move is part of a strategy to create roster flexibility for future transactions. According to ESPN sources, the Spurs plan to waive McDaniels after the trade, allowing the Kings to make adjustments to their lineup.
In return for McDaniels, Sacramento will receive a 2025 top-55 protected second-round pick from the Spurs, which originally belonged to the Chicago Bulls. This pick adds to the Kings’ assets and enhances their potential to make further moves in the upcoming seasons. The deal reflects Sacramento’s ongoing efforts to optimize its roster in anticipation of future opportunities.
Jalen McDaniels joined the Kings after being acquired from the Toronto Raptors in June. The previous trade sent Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov, and a 2025 second-round pick via the Portland Trail Blazers to Toronto, highlighting the Kings’ intent to revamp their roster. McDaniels, who is currently in the second year of a two-year, $9.2 million contract, has had a modest career in the NBA.
At 26 years old, McDaniels has averaged 6.9 points and 3.3 rebounds over five seasons. Last year with the Raptors, he played 50 games, averaging 10.1 minutes and 3.4 points per game. The trade signifies the Kings’ willingness to pivot their roster and explore new possibilities for improvement.
