Source: Sacramento Kings sign forward Deonte Burton
Sep 22, 2023, 12:03 PM | Updated: 12:06 pm
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 18: Deonte Burton #30 of the Iowa State Cyclones attempts a free throw in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 18, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
After reportedly adding Chance Comanche earlier this week, the Sacramento Kings are expected to add Deonte Burton to their training camp roster, according to a league source.
Like Comanche, Burton spent most of the 2022-23 season with the Stockton Kings. The team has not yet announced the signing.
Burton (29) is listed at 6’4″, 240 pounds, with a 6’11” wingspan. His length, strength, and athleticism allowed him to play various positions as a wing and forward. Domantas Sabonis (7’1″) is listed as nine inches taller than Burton but has the same weight of 240 pounds.
That’s not to say he’s out of shape. In fact, Deonte Burton’s combination of strength, fluidity, and bounce jump off the screen.
According to a league source, the Sacramento Kings have signed Deonte Burton.
In Burton’s 33 games with Stockton last season he averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 52/41/79 shooting.
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) September 22, 2023
He finished his collegiate career with Iowa State in 2017 and then traveled to play for Wonju Dongbu Promy in South Korea. Throughout 63 games played, he averaged 23.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists en route to winning the Korean Basketball League Foreign MVP Award.
Following that performance, Deonte Burton made his way to the G-League and hasn’t looked back. He spent two seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue and one with the Maine Red Claws. In the 2022 offseason, the Stockton Kings traded their 2022 third-round pick and 2023 first-rounder for his returning player rights.
In 33 games with Stockton last season, Burton averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 52.1/41.6/79.5 shooting splits in 28.6 minutes. Additionally, he tallied 1.1 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.7 turnovers per night.
Sacramento’s main squad was clearly intrigued by his performance and awarded him with a 10-day contract at the end of January. After a brief showing of five games with the parent club, Burton returned to Stockton.
Burton plays with relentless energy and effort on both ends of the floor. Offensively, his strength allows him to bully his way downhill for powerful finishes.
Don’t jump with Deonte! 🤩 Deonte Burton was attacking the rim all season for the @StocktonKings #NBADunksWeek pic.twitter.com/xwKBdzKRQv
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) July 29, 2023
On the other end, he has the physical tools to defend multiple positions but will still need to prove capable against NBA-caliber competition.
His recent offseason work has caught the attention of Sacramento’s front office, and they’ve rewarded him with an invite to training camp. Their roster now sits at 19 players, including their two-ways, and will need to be cut to 18 prior to the start of the regular season.
Sacramento Kings’ current roster:
- De’Aaron Fox / Davion Mitchell
- Kevin Huerter / Malik Monk / Colby Jones
- Harrison Barnes / Chris Duarte / Kessler Edwards / Deonte Burton
- Keegan Murray / Trey Lyles / Sasha Vezenkov
- Domantas Sabonis / Alex Len / JaVale McGee / Chance Comanche
- Two-Ways: Keon Ellis / Jalen Slawson / Jordan Ford
Teams are allowed to bring up to 21 players into training camp. It’s expected to be an uphill battle for Deonte Burton to make it onto the final roster, but he will have an opportunity to prove he belongs.
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