The Sacramento Kings cleared a roster spot by waiving DeMar DeRozan in early July, leaving two open slots on a roster that already carries thirteen players on standard contracts and three two-way contracts. With the league’s roster freeze approaching and training camp still weeks away, the front office must decide how to fill the remaining spots.
Jonathan Mogbo occupies one of the two-way deals. The twenty-four-year-old forward was selected in the 2024 NBA Draft and spent his first two seasons with the Toronto Raptors. In his rookie year he averaged six point two points, four point nine rebounds, two point three assists and one point four steals per game before falling out of the rotation. Toronto declined his option for the upcoming season, making him a free agent who landed in Sacramento. In the Las Vegas Summer League, Mogbo posted eleven point five points, eight point eight rebounds, two point eight assists, half a steal and one and a half blocks per game while shooting forty-four point four percent from the field and a solid three-point percentage.
The most logical move for the Kings is to upgrade Mogbo from a two-way slot to a standard contract. At six-foot-nine, he provides size and rebounding, and his recent shooting percentages suggest a developing three-point threat. A standard deal would cost well below the mid-range veteran market, preserving cap flexibility while rewarding a player who has already shown impact in the Summer League.
The remaining open spot will likely be filled by a low-cost veteran wing who can defend the increasingly versatile backcourts in the Western Conference. A minimum-salary contract or a non-guaranteed deal for a second-round pick would give the Kings defensive insurance without sacrificing financial flexibility. Such a player could contribute immediately in a bench role while the core of De'Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray continues to develop.
The league’s roster freeze occurs in early August, forcing Sacramento to submit its final roster list shortly thereafter. Converting Mogbo and adding a veteran wing would underscore the Kings’ commitment to a low-cost, development-first approach, while also signaling a willingness to add proven depth as the Western Conference rewards both flexibility and experience.
