Kings Guarantee Contract Of Damian Jones, Partially Guarantee Chimezie Metu For 2021-22

Aug 11, 2021, 8:58 AM | Updated: 9:01 am

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Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

Sacramento’s roster is full of bigs as the offseason pushes forward

The Sacramento Kings have fully guaranteed Damian Jones’ $1.9 million contract and partially guaranteed Chimezie Metu’s $1.8 million contract for the 2021-22 season, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and James Ham of NBC Sports California.

The Sacramento Kings are picking up the option on C Damian Jones for the 2021-2022 season, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 10, 2021

In addition to Jones' contract, the Kings are guaranteeing Chimezie Metu's contract. He is now under contract for a guaranteed $881,398, with potential for the entire seasons deal at $1.8 million.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) August 10, 2021

By guaranteeing Jones’ deal, the Kings now have a bevy of options at the center position.

Richaun Holmes has returned on a four-year deal, while general manager Monte McNair also completed a trade for 2016 NBA champion Tristan Thompson and reached an agreement with old friend Alex Len on a two-year deal. During the 2021 NBA Draft, the Kings also selected center Neemias Queta with the 39th pick.

Jones, a two-time champion with the Golden State Warriors, did a solid job filling in for the injured Holmes at the end of the 2020-21 season. The 6’11 big averaged 6.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 65-percent from the field over 17 appearances (four starts).

Chimezie Metu’s deal for 2021-22 is partially guaranteed and will become fully guaranteed if he is not waived by December 1, 2021.

The 24-year-old averaged career-highs in points (6.3), rebounds (3.1), assists (0.8), steals (0.4) and blocks (0.5) per game last season while shooting 50-percent from the field and 35-percent from the three-point line.