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On Tuesday afternoon, the Sacramento Kings announced in an official press release that they’ve signed guards David Stockton and Reggie Hearn. That move came directly after they waived veteran guard Marcus Williams, who played two preseason games with the squad. Although Hearn and Stockton technically have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the regular season roster, it’s extremely likely that they’ll be heading to the Reno Bighorns, their G League affiliate, before the regular season begins next week.
Both Hearn and Stockton are familiar faces to Bighorns fans as they’ve been with the squad since the 2014-15 season. In 103 games, Stockton has put up 18.6 points, 7.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game on 45% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. As those could tell you, the 5’11 point guard has shined as a dangerous versatile scoring threat that can also be a dynamic facilitator. That great play led him to receiving multiple call-ups from the Kings during the 2015-16 season.
That type of past play should allow Stockton to be one of the G League’s best point guards when the season begins next month. Although there might be some better facilitators in the league that will be on two-way deals, he might actually be in a better position than those prospects.
Due to being on a normal G League contract, he’d have a lot more freedom as any NBA squad can sign him over the course of the NBA season. So while he’d initially make less money than those two-way prospects, Stockton might end up in a better situation if strong G League play pushes him to land on an NBA roster.
The same can be said about 6’4 guard Reggie Hearn, who will be entering his fourth season with the Bighorns. During his time with the team, he’s stood out as arguably the best perimeter shooter in the entire league as he’s shot 44% on 6.2 perimeter attempts per game during the last two seasons.
That great play ultimately gave Hearn the opportunity to play with team USA this summer during their gold medal run at the FIBA Americup. Hearn’s great play with Team USA was actually recapped by us back in a piece from early September.
As they both enter their fourth season in Reno, David Stockton and Reggie Hearn will have another opportunity to show the world that they truly belong in the NBA. While there’s various factors behind whether a G Leaguer gets called up, I would not be surprised to see either of these players spend time in the Association during the upcoming 2017-18 NBA season.