2:03pm: It’s a one-year, partially guaranteed contract for Dellavedova, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
1:59pm: The Kings have signed free agent guard Matthew Dellavedova, the team announced today (via Twitter).
Dellavedova, who will turn 32 in September, has 447 regular season NBA appearances under his belt, having spent eight years playing for the Cavaliers and Bucks. However, he was limited to just 13 games with Cleveland in 2020/21 (his last NBA season) due to various health issues, including a concussion and an emergency appendectomy.
The Australian guard returned home to play for Melbourne United this past season and had a solid season with the club, averaging 10.6 PPG, 4.9 APG, and 3.0 RPG on .407/.380/.756 shooting in 27 contests (25.3 MPG).
Dellavedova reportedly worked out for the Kings and new head coach Mike Brown – who coached the veteran in Cleveland – in Las Vegas earlier this month in the hopes of earning a camp invite. Sacramento has been on the lookout for point guard depth, having also been linked to Quinn Cook.
While the terms of Dellavedova’s new contract aren’t yet known, it will almost certainly be worth the veteran’s minimum. It’s possible his salary won’t be fully guaranteed, but I expect he’ll have an opportunity to earn a regular season roster spot this fall.
Hell yesssss, one of my favorite all time players
Mike Brown’s loyalist is going to payoff for him. I hope the Kings are the surprise west team next year!
You know how there was that dude playing HS basketball that said he was 18 and really was 30? Delly’s birth cert may indeed say he’s 32, but he’s at least 45. He looked like he was 32 by 2017.
One of my high school teammates no kidding, went to Australia and when he was around 40, said he was 30 and played for some national stuff back there. Don’t know how he got away with it but he did. Good dude, he just didn’t want to give it up. Point guard and I think he became a big time coach also. Pretty smart move when you know you’re not going to make it in the US, just become a big fish in a smaller pond.
The final piece that makes the Kings favorites for the top half of the lottery.
I swear I just read an article he retired?
J.J. Barea?
I feel as if a Euro player doesn’t have a home, the Kings welcome them in.
I thought he is Aussie
He is. Tons of Australians play at St. Marys
Classic
He’s so much better than Quinn Cook!
In what way? Number of games played? They both are pretty bad, but at least Cook can shoot.
He’ll bring toughness, tenacity, and effort that’s for sure. Not sure if he’s over the hill or not because it looked like he was slowing down a little when he was with the bucks. When he was young he was quick enough to keep up, but over 30 is a different story.
How is this dude only 32?!? I swear I thought he was in 30s in like 2016