Report: Stockton Kings acquire returning player rights to Brandon Sampson
Oct 20, 2023, 4:45 PM
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - JANUARY 10: Brandon Sampson #0 of the LSU Tigers dribbles down the court during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on January 10, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 75-54. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Stockton Kings are continuing to make moves as their season approaches. In a press release Friday, the team announced that they were trading the returning player rights of Ade Murkey to the Wisconsin Herd in exchange for the returning player rights to guard Brandon Sampson and a second-round pick (via Oklahoma City) in the 2023 NBA G League Draft.
Murkey’s lone season with Stockton was in 2021-22, averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.4 steals on 42.2/39.8/74.6 shooting splits through 45 games. He did not play for them last year, but he was a member of the Summer League team.
Brandon Sampson (26) is one year older than Miurkey but plays a similar position, with both standing at 6’5. Sampson played collegiate basketball at LSU for three seasons, tallying 7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.8 assists on 47.6 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from three as a junior. After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, he joined the G-League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. His only NBA experience was 14 games with the Chicago Bulls in 2019.
Five years later, his returning player rights are being sent to his sixth G-League franchise. In 2022-23, Sampson participated in 13 Iowa Wolves games and seven with Wisconsin. Throughout those 20 games, he averaged 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 48.7 percent from the field and 35 percent from three on three attempts per game.
Sampson will join a slew of intriguing talent for new head coach Lindsey Harding. Two-way players Keon Ellis, Jordan Ford, and Jalen Slawson are expected to spend some time with the group. They traded for the returning player rights to guard James Akinjo in September. If they clear waivers, Jeremy Lamb, Deonte Burton, Chance Comanche, Skal Labissiere, Jake Stephens, and Dane Goodwin could all be on the roster. Recently waived by Sacramento, Jaylen Nowell could eventually make his way to their G-League affiliate.
After having the best regular season record in the G-League last year, the Stockton Kings are looking to continue building a roster that can repeat that level of success and carry it over into the postseason.
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