8:54pm: Now that the Kings’ three-team trade with the Cavs and Jazz is complete, Papagiannis’ release has been made official as well, the team confirmed in a press release.
4:03pm: After exploring the trade market and not finding a deal, the Kings intend to waive former lottery pick Georgios Papagiannis, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
Papagiannis, a 7’1″ center, was selected by the Kings with the 13th overall pick in the 2016 draft after the team traded down from No. 8. It was a surprising pick at the time, and Papagiannis’ play in his first season and a half in the NBA didn’t exactly vindicate Sacramento’s choice.
In 38 career contests, Papagiannis has averaged 4.2 PPG and 3.2 RPG. The big man appears to have taken a step back this season, having seen his FG% dip to just .415. Of course, the sample size is small — Papagiannis has averaged just 7.4 minutes per game in 16 contests.
Any team with interest in claiming Papagiannis off waivers would need cap room or an exception to absorb his $2,301,360 salary for this season. He also has a guaranteed $2,400,480 salary for 2018/19, with a $3,430,286 team option for 2019/20.
The Kings already parted with one 2016 first-round pick earlier today, agreeing to send Malachi Richardson to Toronto in a trade with the Raptors. Sacramento acquired Bruno Caboclo in that deal and was reportedly set to waive him to clear the room necessary to take on two players for George Hill in another trade. With Papagiannis now on his way out, it’s not clear if the Kings will still waive Caboclo too. (Update: They don’t plan to.)
Wait, so are we keeping Cabocolo or not?
So are we keeping Coboclo or not?
Wow. Vlade’s drafting skills are seriously under scrutiny. This just proves it even more.
Can’t bag Vlade on this… they took a chance on a big knowing Cousins was going by years end, and show me ANY pick from 13 on down that has stuck anywhere and made any significant contributions to their respective teams. Richardson has upside but there’s no room for him to play with Fox, Mason, Bogdan and Heild. They have a plan and let’s just see. The best thing they’ve done is lock up both Joerger and Vlade for 4 yrs, they’ve committed to their vision…Lets give this due time and then see, I feel better about our organization than I have in 10 yrs…
The two picks directly after him have done pretty well, Denzel Valentine and Juan Hernangomez. There is also Caris Levert, Pascal Siakam and Dejounte Murray, who were drafted several picks later. Of course there is also 2nd rounder and ROY Malcolm Brogdon. You did say ANY pick.
There is simply no defense for Vlade’s 2016 draft after today. Waiving a heavily scrutinized lottery pick less than 2 years after drafting him and trading away another first on the same day. You just can’t defend that.
Ehhh…idk, the verdict is still relatively out. Every draft under Divac, they’ve been selecting right outside the top tier of talent.
Obviously, you’d rather have a Booker than Cauley-Stein, but alot of teams passed on Booker..Then, maybe Smith Jr. Or Markkanen over Fox, but Fox still needs another two years to see what he really has, considering he’s a little raw. Bagdanovic was a solid get, and he’s got some pieces..The jury is still out on if Giles will be healthy and a force next season..I still think it was a good selection though with Fpx, Mason Jr. and Jackson..
The 2018 draft will be huge for Divac..Still though, he has to start making some better decisions in Free Agency…However, most quality players aren’t lining up to play for the Kings…So, it’d a tough sell..
I’d give him a C so far, but with the potential for a B- if “his” draftees begin to grow and improve…
bucks try him out
BUCKS should clam him and buy out Mriza Teletovic contract his career is probably over
Sacramento isn’t taking on George hill, Cleveland acquired him I thought.
They did. I think what the author is saying is the Kings took on two players for Hill.
Come on Milwaukee keep looking for bigs
Milwaukee prefers Plumlees and Zellers