Sacramento Kings Release Justin James
Aug 15, 2021, 12:17 PM | Updated: Aug 17, 2021, 9:03 am
(Photo by Ben Green/Getty Images)
The 24-year-old averaged 3.2 points per game on 34-percent shooting from three-point range over two seasons
According to Jason Jones of The Athletic, the Sacramento Kings released forward Justin James on Sunday morning.
James’ $1.7 million contract for 2021-22 would have become guaranteed on Sunday if he was not waived by the team.
With James off of the roster, Sacramento now has 15 occupied roster spots and two players on two-way contracts in Neemias Queta and Louis King.
James, 24, was selected by Sacramento with the 40th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Wyoming alumnus averaged 3.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists over two seasons with the franchise (72 games).
The 6’7 wing was given an expanded look during the finals stretch of the 2020-21 season, with James exploding for a career-high 31 points on 12-17 shooting from the field during a May 13th loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Sacramento will head into the second-half of the offseason with Harrison Barnes, Moe Harkless, Robert Woodard and King as wing options on the roster for 2021-22. The team still holds the Mid-Level Exception and can add another piece in free agency if they wish.
Training camp is set to begin in late September, with the regular season schedule expected to be released within the next 7-10 days.