Kings restricted free agent Neemias Queta has been diagnosed with a stress reaction and a metatarsal capsule sprain in his right foot, the team announced in a press release.
Queta’s injury occurred during the second quarter of Sacramento’s Summer League game against the Clippers on Monday. The big man, who will celebrate his 24th birthday on Thursday, had a double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds) in the Kings’ first game in Las Vegas on Friday, but has been ruled out for the rest of Summer League.
Queta’s recovery process will be worth keeping an eye on going forward because he’s not yet under contract for the 2023/24 season. The former Utah State standout finished last season on a two-way deal with the Kings and received a qualifying offer from the club in June, making him a restricted free agent.
Because Queta was on a two-way contract with Sacramento for consecutive seasons, his qualifying offer is equivalent to a minimum-salary deal with a $75K partial guarantee.
While he has the option of accepting that QO, Queta’s grip on a roster spot might be precarious in that scenario due to his small partial guarantee — he’d likely prefer to negotiate a new standard contract with the Kings that includes a little more protection. He has also indicated that he’d be open to signing another two-way deal if that’s what it takes to stick with the organization.
Queta only appeared in five NBA games for Sacramento last season, but thrived at the G League level, earning a spot on the All-NBAGL First Team and finishing second in MVP voting. He averaged 16.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 27.7 minutes per game across 29 regular season appearances for the Stockton Kings.
Once Sasha Vezenkov officially signs his reported deal with the Kings, the club will have 13 players on standard contracts and two on two-way pacts, not counting Queta.
The guy has no leverage. Sign the QO. If he gets cut, he gets cut. Might as well take $75k with him if it happens. With an injury that will likely keep him out for at least the first couple months of the season, he’s not getting a standard contract or a better deal elsewhere.