Isaac Jones on his journey from undrafted free agent to Kings role player

Dec 4, 2024, 12:52 PM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 01: Isaac Jones #17 of the Sacramento Kings dunks the ball on Zac...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

At a time when the Sacramento Kings have seen its rotation ravaged by the injury bug, an unlikely contributor has stepped up in a big way.

Isaac Jones, an undrafted free agent out of Washington State, turned heads in Summer League after signing a two-way contract with the Kings in June. Now, the 24-year-old rookie is making an impact for a Sacramento bench that is without veteran forward Trey Lyles (calf strain).

Jones has thrived in a reserve role, averaging 9.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks on 71 percent shooting from the field over his past five games.

The 6’8 forward has posted career-high performances in back-to-back games, scoring 12 points in each of his past two games–the most-recent outing being in a much-needed win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

This week, Allen Stiles had a chance to catch up with Jones on his journey from being an undrafted free agent to becoming a 20-minute-per-night player in an NBA rotation.

Topics Discussed

What have the past five months been like for Jones, going from an undrafted free agent to playing in an NBA rotation?
Jones says he’s been continuing to learn from his coaches and teammates.
Which players have helped Jones during his brief tenure in Sacramento?
What aspect of his game has worked the best for him to start his NBA career?
How much of a relief was it for the Kings to get right against a very good Houston Rockets team?
Does Isaac have any nicknames?
How is Jones enjoying living in Sacramento?
“I love it here. My family is loving it here, too.”

Listen to The Allen Stiles Show from 10 a.m – 2 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

Click here for full episodes of The Allen Stiles Show.

More Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

With the group stage of the NBA Cup in the books, the Sacramento Kings schedule has been updated with two new additions.

After posting a record of 1-3 in group play, Sacramento did not advance to the knockout round and will have to wait another year for a crack at making the trip to Las Vegas.

The Kings (10-12) now know who they will play during the previously labeled ‘To Be Determined’ week of December 10-17th:

Thursday, December 12th – @ New Orleans Pelicans – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, December 16th – vs. Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PT

Sacramento fans may groan upon first glance at the updated schedule, especially after reflecting on an 0-6 showing against the Pelicans last season, with the final loss ending the Kings’ season in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will begin a brief two-city road trip on Thursday night against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.

Last season, the Kings enjoyed a three-game regular season series sweep of Memphis, including both games at the FedEx Forum.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Grizzlies action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 5:00 PM PT from Memphis, Tennessee.