Matthew Dellavedova signs two-year deal with Melbourne United

May 16, 2023, 3:52 PM

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Matthew Dellavedova #8 of the Sacramento Kings plays against the Washing...

(Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Although the NBA offseason won’t officially begin for another month, the Sacramento Kings already have an open roster spot to address once free agency begins.

Backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova has signed a two-year deal with Melbourne United of Australia’s National Basketball League.

Dellavedova–a native of Maryborough, Victoria, Australia–spent the 2021-22 season playing for Melbourne United before signing with the Kings last July.

He's back 🔵

Matthew Dellavedova has returned to Melbourne United on a two-year deal 👏

Read more: https://t.co/HzD9w15LB6 pic.twitter.com/UfNoqN96yN

— NBL (@NBL) May 16, 2023

The 32-year-old was Sacramento’s third-string point guard this season, playing behind De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell on head coach Mike Brown’s depth chart.

Over 32 appearances, the 2016 NBA champion averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 34 percent from the field and 33 percent from three-point range.

Dellavedova’s triple during the fourth quarter of the Kings’ 136-111 win over the Orlando Magic gave Sacramento a new franchise record for made three-point field goals in a single game (23).

The Kings lacked veteran leadership entering this season, and Dellavedova brought that edge to a young, unproven team that went on to snap a 16-season playoff drought. Although the Australian guard was lost for the remainder of the season after fracturing his finger on March 29th, Dellavedova’s leadership played a role during the team’s approach to the postseason.

Brown told the media that Dellavedova, teammate Harrison Barnes, and assistant coach Leandro Barbosa–all former NBA champions–spoke to the team before facing the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs.

While Brown also said during his end-of-season press conference that he believes Dellavedova would make a great coach, the guard has other plans as he returns to Australia for at least two more seasons of professional basketball.

Matthew Dellavedova might not have posted big numbers on the floor during his time in a Kings jersey, but he was a player that was leaned on in the locker room and adored by the players, coaching staff, and fanbase.

‘Delly’ will always be a part of the inaugural Beam Team.

Tonight’s Defensive Player of the Game:

DELLY.

“You like it? It suits me.” pic.twitter.com/zSWDm6jcKf

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) March 26, 2023