JaVale McGee reportedly turned down a reunion with the Warriors to join coach Mike Brown instead and sign a one-year contract to join the Sacramento Kings earlier this month. McGee’s decision also created a domino effect in Sacramento, and the Warriors could benefit from their former fan-favorite siding with their Northern California rivals.
The Kings on Tuesday announced the signing of guard Jordan Ford. To make room on a roster overflowing with centers, the Kings also waived big men Nerlens Noel and Neemias Queta. The former is a nine-year pro who was the top draft pick in 2013, and the latter has played 20 total NBA games.
However, Queta’s push in the door from McGee’s signing should intrigue the Warriors. The 24-year-old is still eligible for a two-way contract and could be exactly what Golden State needs for one of the two empty two-way slots as someone who can contribute at the NBA level and compete. for an open roster spot.
Queta in his 20 NBA games scored double figures three times. His career high is 11 points and his career high in rebounds is six. But Queta’s progress has increased each year, starting with his three years at Utah State and continuing with his two seasons for the Stockton Kings after being selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.
While the Kings were busy snapping their decade-plus playoff streak in Sacramento, Queta was on a mission in Stockton last season. The 7-footer finished as the G League runner-up in MVP voting, earned All-NBA G League and All-Defensive G League honors, averaged 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game between the Showcase Cup and regular season, shooting 68.1 percent from the field and 70.3 percent of free throws. The Warriors also had an eye opener with some top performances by Queta.
Seth Cooper and David Fatoki are the new faces of the Warriors’ player development system. Cooper will focus on the coaching side, and Fatoki will do it from a front office perspective. The two previously worked together in the Santa Cruz G League affiliate of the Warriors – Cooper was the head coach and Fatoki took the lead as the general manager – and Queta was their worst nightmare last season.
Queta had career highs in points (38) and rebounds (18) the first time Santa Cruz played in Stockton last season. He also totaled four blocks, three assists, two steals and 12-of-14 shooting. Queta defeated former Warriors No. 2 overall draft pick and fellow 7-footer James Wiseman in the Kings’ comeback win, owning the paint in many ways.
In the three games he played against Santa Cruz, Queta averaged 24.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.7 blocks and shot 68.6 percent (24 of 35) overall and 76.6 percent (13 of 17) from free throws. -throw line.
The same kind of effect followed Queta this summer too. Although he was called for seven fouls in the Kings’ 100-94 California Classic summer league win over the Warriors at the Golden 1 Center, Queta’s plus/minus was a game-high plus-15 behind 11 points, 10 rebounds. and three blocks.
Three weeks from the start of training camp, the Warriors have 13 of their 15 NBA roster spots filled. Lester Quinones holds one of their three two-way contracts and four players are on Exhibit 10 training camp invitations. The conditions and even the game were very different, but Steve Kerr saw again what can happen to a small team that is bullied on the glass on the big stage in Team USA’s fourth place in the FIBA ​​World Cup.
To see Queta defend his basket and fight for rebounds is to witness a player who is committed to respect, whether it is the G League, summer league or the opportunities he receives in NBA. The idea of ​​his next chance to enter the jersey of the Warriors, Santa Cruz or Golden State, must be on the radar of general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.
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