After spending four professional seasons playing for teams in France and Spain, forward Chima Moneke got his first opportunity with an NBA team this past fall when he received a partially guaranteed contract from the Kings and made their regular season roster.
Although he was on Sacramento’s roster until early January, Moneke logged just eight total minutes in two games at the NBA level. The 27-year-old – who spent most of his time in the G League, appearing in 18 total contests for the Stockton Kings – admitted in a conversation with Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops that his NBA experience was a bit of a letdown.
“It wasn’t what I expected and it was disappointing, because I feel like up until the training camp started, at the end of September, I was there for two months and I was playing open gym with them, working out. I felt like I was really gonna be given an opportunity,” Moneke said. “But when the whole team got there and the training camp started, I felt like I wasn’t.
“… Getting sent to the G League… I tried to be positive about it, but in my heart, I knew that I just didn’t want to be there. I just wasn’t having fun playing in a big cold hockey arena with 20 people watching the game when I could have been playing in Europe with fans who care about the sport. Every time I was there it really hurt me. I tried to be positive but I knew in November that I didn’t want to be there.”
Waived by the Kings about three weeks ago before his 2022/23 salary became fully guaranteed, Moneke has since returned to Europe, completing a deal last week with AS Monaco.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Having been the subject of trade rumors while playing for losing Kings teams over the last few seasons, veteran forward Harrison Barnes tells Anthony Slater of The Athletic that it has been especially rewarding to see the team turn the corner this year. “A lot of these guys — Malik (Monk), Kevin (Huerter), Keegan (Murray) — just walk in here and all (they) know with Kings basketball is us winning a bunch of games, playing winning basketball,” Barnes said. “… But at the same time, you know how fragile that is. You have to continue to work to not get back to the other side.”
- After missing the Warriors‘ last 11 games due to a left ankle sprain, center James Wiseman should be available on Wednesday. He’s listed as probable vs. Memphis, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
- In the wake of the news that incoming Suns owner Mat Ishbia is expected to officially purchase the team in early February, Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype explores what that could mean for the team at the trade deadline. Gozlan argues that Phoenix is in position to be one of the NBA’s biggest in-season buyers, since the club hasn’t traded away any of its future first-round picks.
I actually really liked the Booker and Fred VanVleet pairing and very high on the Suns.
Crowder, Shamet and 3 Firsts for VanVleet
Then Paul and 1 First for Bogdanovic and salary filler
This would add $50 million luxury tax next season.
Chris Paul is the reason the Suns became who they are. They were nothing before he got there and brought them into real championship aspirations.
problem is Chris Paul is almost 38 so you must expect him to have a big drop off after 35. He shouldn’t be playing more than 30 minutes a game.
3 NBA best shooters are too available (means sell low)
Joe Harris ($18.6 million), Seth Curry ($8.5 million), and Patty Mills ($6.5 million)
Dear Pacific Fans (Lakers fans included)
Trade, trade, trade
At what point is Wiseman labeled injury proned?? Is he even going to play now that everybody is healthy? It’s frustrating that he couldnt take advantage of the opportunity the last 3-4 weeks. :(
Suns better be real careful. They keep messing around and they will start going the other way. Already looking at CP3 down yr. Incredible they don’t get the math. Just how many yrs do you think he has left ????
Winning is not as easy as some teams make it look. Props to the Warriors.
Agreed Al. The Suns were right there and had all the pieces . Window of opportunity is very short. Especially with guys wanting to get paid and owners not willing to keep a dynasty together and go over the tax.
This Warrior Run has been amazing after 30 years of crap. I’m very appreciative after the barely 8 seed Lewis Lloyd, Lester Connor, sleepy Floyd, Larry Smith, Jim Peterson, Ralph Sampson, Greg Ballard, Terry Teagle teams. Yikes can’t believe I rolled those names off top of my head like that. Probably because I make this post once or twice a year LOL. Don’t get me started on the crappy draft picks.