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WSU's Isaac Jones earns payday and vote of confidence; Sacramento picks up $1.9 million team…

THE SACRAMENTO KINGS have picked up the $1.9 million 2025-26 team option on former Washington State forward Isaac Jones' contract, per Sportrac.com’s Keith Smith. The NBA Coug, who turns 25 this month, signed a two-way contract with the Kings just minutes after going unselected in the 2024 NBA Draft. He then barnstormed his way through his NBA rookie season, first in the G League and then onto Sacramento's roster.

[See vdeo above for Jones on what Sacramento asked him to work on this offseason]

Last March, Sacramento converted Jones’ two-way contract into a standard NBA contract. According to Sportrac.com, Jones earned a combined $152,957 in salary for 2024 between the two leagues.

After his call-up to Sacramento last season, Jones averaged 3.4 points per game and 1.4 rebounds. In 12 games with the Stockton Kings last season — Sacramento’s G League affiliate — Jones averaged 21.1 points per game, 10 rebounds, 1.2 blocks on 57 percent shooting.

With Sacramento opting into Jones’ club option, the former Wazzu big man’s $1.9M contract is fully guaranteed and gives him an opportunity to impress Sacramento brass into a longer deal in the future. Jones is listed at 6-8 but has a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan, giving him the ability to guard any position on the floor. He also possesses excellent leaping ability.

In June, Cougfan.com caught up Jones to recap his first NBA season, he detailed what Sacramento wanted from him this offseason.

“For me it’s mostly the corner three and getting my feet faster defensively, I have a lot of defensive potential with my wingspan and length,” Jones said. “They feel like I haven’t tapped it yet, I’ve never been put in a situation where I have to guard the best guards in the world. It’s going to take some time, but once I get those things done, there’s going to be a place in the league for me.”

Jones attempted just over three 3-pointers per game in the G League, making 26.3 percent (0.8/3.2). The outside shot is the next evolution in Jones’ game.

“That’s the one thing they told me when they signed me to the G league, getting my confidence up and continue to shoot the three, even if it’s not falling,” Jones said. “I just need the confidence to shoot it for when I’m up here, because I’m going to be wide open.”

At Washington State, Jones averaged 15.3 points per game, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks.. He was named first-team All-Pac-12 in the 2023-24 season.

INCYM ... HOW BADLY DID Memphis want Cedric Coward? Look what the Grizzlies gave up to get him five spots sooner than if they had stood pat. The 6-5, 213-pound Washington State guard was selected No. 11 overall in the NBA Draft on Wednesday evening by Portland. And then ... CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY: Why WSU basketball fans could see 2 NBA Cougs starting in Memphis

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