Rumors announced him back in the NBA, it’s now done. Matthew Dellavedova has signed a one-year contract with Sacramento for $2.6 million. After playing at home in Australia for a whole season, “Delly” will therefore try to snatch playing time once more with the Kings… where he will clearly not find himself in the middle age since at 31, he might be the uncle of a lot of his teammates.
Oh the little news that gives the smile to start the weekend! After doing some workouts for Sacramento in Las Vegas earlier this month, Matthew Dellavedova just signed with the Kings for $2.6 million over one year. The contract is certainly only partially guaranteed, but Matthieu will have the opportunity to participate in training camps, where he will try to show that he deserves his place in the NBA. Delly’s last game in the Big League? April 25, 2021, a year and three months ago. Hampered by health problems, the Australian had only appeared on thirteen occasions this season. Became a free agent in the summer of the same year, the latter had signed up with Melbourne United in the NBL – National Basketball League, Australian first division – where he was able to achieve a full season. Recording averages of 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 0.9 steals in 27 games for United, the leader was able to recover without re-injuring himself and delight Cristiano Ronaldo. Besides, you have to believe that the man is nostalgic by nature, since here is what he said to Archyde.com by signing in Australia last year: The end of my NBA adventure has certainly not yet arrived. This season I’m all in with United and I’m excited for the year there, but my goal is to come back to the NBA.. ” And here what he says now that he’s back:
“I enjoyed every minute spent with Melbourne United. Playing for the city in front of my family and friends was incredible. My first year with the club was filled with many good times and was one of my most enjoyable years in basketball with the group of guys we had. I am grateful to the club for having welcomed me so well, restored my health and made me play once more at a high level. I feel like I still have things to do here. So I hope I can come back one day to help United win a championship. I will definitely follow the team and support them from a distance this season. »
– Matthew Dellavedova
A contract is all well and good, but you still have to play. And for that, Matthew Dellavedova will have to fight, because the position of leader is clearly not acquired for him among these young Kings in search of identity. If De’Aaron Fox will likely be Sacramento’s No. 1 incumbent, Davion Mitchell will be his back-up. The Australian will clearly not be fighting to play 20 minutes, but rather for a place on Mike Brown’s bench. Here, that’s good: the new coach of Sac-Town and Delly know each other well. For his first season in the NBA, the guard had indeed been under the orders of Brown at the Cavs. To 32 years old, the man will also have to play a role of mentor with the young Kings. We think in particular of Mitchell, small by nature like the Australian and already having VERY good defensive abilities. Thanks to his experience, like the fact of having stuck with Stephen Curry during the 2016 Finals, Delly might add a very interesting dimension to this roster which is precisely lacking in elements experienced in the exercise. We just hope that he will avoid being posterized like last December, in order to avoid general fights from breaking out in a Golden 1 Center where there are already enough things to manage with the vomiting of the public and the types who ride in their underpants.
Welcome to Sactown, @matthewdelly! ???? pic.twitter.com/JnZ6g4Z0Dl
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) July 29, 2022
Let’s be clear, with such a short contract, this year will be a life test for Matthew Dellavedova, who will have to show that he can still bring to an NBA franchise. In a veteran role which he has already been able to try in Australia, Delly will be keen to help the Kings return to the Playoffs, of which he knows the workings well.
Source texte : RealGM / The Sydney Morning Herald
