Sacramento Kings Extend Two-Way Qualifying Offer To Neemias Queta

On the heels of exercising forward Trey Lyles’ team option for the 2022-23 season, the Sacramento Kings have made another move in preparation for Thursday’s start to the NBA free-agent negotiation period.

According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, the Kings have tendered a two-way qualifying offer to center Neemias Queta, making him a restricted free agent.

The Sacramento Kings tendered a Two-Way qualifying offer to Neemias Queta to make him a restricted free agent on July 1, a league source tells @spotrac.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 29, 2022

Queta, 22, became the first Portuguese-born player to make an appearance in the NBA last season, averaging 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game on 44 percent from the field over 14 appearances.

The 39th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft split time between Sacramento and G-League affiliate Stockton last season, posting 16.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocked shots per game over 14 contests.

Sacramento would like to retain Queta in restricted free agency as questions currently surround the team’s depth at the center position. Richaun Holmes will likely be mentioned in trade talks after the acquisition of two-time All-Star center Domantas Sabonis. Alex Len could be moved this summer, while Damian Jones will enter unrestricted free agency on Thursday.

By extending the two-way qualifying offer to Queta, Kings general manager Monte McNair will be able to match any offer that the center might sign with another team.

The seven-footer averaged 14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.3 blocks per game for Utah State in 2020-21 while claiming his second Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award. Queta finished his college career with a 59 percent mark from the field and a 64 percent clip from the free-throw line.

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