After clearing up roster spots by moving Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and Dario Saric in a three-for-one three-team deal that landed them De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline, the Sacramento Kings have used those roster spots to test out some young former first-round talents.
Rookie center Dylan Cardwell was promoted from a two-way contract to a standard deal, and Sacramento general manager has since picked up Patrick Baldwin Jr. into their new two-way opening.
Kevin Danna, G-League broadcaster for the Santa Cruz Warriors, joined The Drive Guys on Monday to share his perspective on Baldwin’s intriguing blend of size and skill at just 23 years old.
“There’s something there with Patrick Baldwin Jr.,” Danna told The Drive Guys. “I just think he could put it together… I like this guy.”
He described both Baldwin Jr. and the new 10-day contract addition, Killian Hayes, as players who stood out as just too good for the G-League level of competition. While acknowledging the possibility of them being 4A players, meaning dominant in the G-League but can’t carve out an NBA role, he’s optimistic about both of their potential futures.
Since being selected 28th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Baldwin Jr. has jumped around the league a bit. He lasted one season with the Golden State Warriors but has played for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, and, most recently, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Given the inconsistent and limited playing time during those stints, the best look into his production has come in the G League. Playing in 18 games for the San Diego Clippers this season, the 6’9 forward averaged 21.2 points, eight rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from three in his 35.3 minutes per night.
“Everyone looks towards the scoring, and if you could just dominate from a points per game perspective, that does help,” Danna said of the Kings new two-way player. “I tend to look more at how a guy can fit into a team concept, like is a guy making the extra effort plays, and is that coupled with the athleticism and the length necessary to play at the NBA level, to be a rotation guy, which is why the size of PBJ really intrigues me now.”
The broadcaster also noted that, since coming into the league at 6’9″, as mentioned, he has continued to grow and may be flirting with 7 feet at this point.
Given Sacramento’s 13-46 record, just having ended a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak with a win Monday night in Memphis, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Baldwin Jr. get notable opportunities with the main squad for the final stretch of this season.
Check out the full interview with Santa Cruz Warriors G-League play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Danna by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.
Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will continue a five-game road trip on Wednesday afternoon against the Houston Rockets.
Sacramento is 2-1 against Houston this season, winning the most recent matchup on January 11th by a final of 111-98 at Golden 1 Center.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 3:30 PM PT on Game Night before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from downtown Houston.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, February 25th @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Thursday, February 26th @ Dallas Mavericks – 5:30 PM PT
Sunday, March 1st @ Los Angeles Lakers – 6:30 PM PT
Tuesday, March 3rd vs. Phoenix Suns – 8:00 PM PT
Thursday, March 5th vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 7:00 PM PT
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