Not long after the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, the Sacramento Kings promoted rookie center Dylan Cardwell from a two-way deal to a standard contract.
After going undrafted out of Auburn in the 2026 NBA Draft, Cardwell has capitalized on unique circumstances. As Domantas Sabonis has missed extended periods throughout the course of Sacramento’s disappointing season, both Cardwell and fellow-rookie big man Maxime Raynaud were given notable opportunities.
Participating in 25 of the Kings’ 52 games this season, he has averaged 4.7 points and 7.1 rebounds while converting 59.8 percent of his field goal attempts. In their most recent showing against the Memphis Grizzlies, Cardwell even closed the game in favor of a healthy Sabonis.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Cardwell has signed a four-year deal, with two years being guaranteed.
The Sacramento Kings are signing rookie center Dylan Cardwell to a four-year deal, agent Corey Marcum tells ESPN. The deal includes two fully guaranteed years. Cardwell has averaged 4.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 20 minutes this season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
Given the nature of a two-way deal, the Kings were only able to have Cardwell active for 50 games this season. Now that he’s been promoted to a standard deal, those limitations have been lifted.
Before it became official, and knowing it was expected to take place after the deadline, the 24-year-old expressed his gratitude following Wednesday’s loss to the Grizzlies.
“I’m just thankful, thankful to the Lord first, and then secondly, to the front office, just for going out there and trusting me,” Cardwell said. “It’s a great opportunity to have, and I’m excited… I’m just out there trying to play and compete and whatever comes with it, comes with it.”
Cardwell leans heavily on his faith, opening every media availability with, “First and foremost, all glory to my lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.” He expanded on that as he continued reflecting on his journey, work ethic, and opportunities that have led to this point.
“I’ve been working hard for this opportunity, but at the same time, (I) can’t take any credit, because you can’t author this how the Lord has authored it. And when I say that, I mean, like coming in as a two-way, I wasn’t promised any opportunity. Look around the two ways in the league, some guys are playing a lot, and some guys haven’t touched the NBA floor, and so just because I was working hard doesn’t mean that I was promised or guaranteed a position to play.”
“Things had to happen, and the Lord gifted me an opportunity, and I took advantage of that,” he continued. “I was persistent through it all. But, at the end of the day, I signed up for two year two-way (contract), and they didn’t have to play me. They didn’t have to put me in there. And so none of that is to my credit at all.”
In their most recent showing against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kings’ head coach Doug Christie Cardwell even closed the game in favor of a healthy Sabonis.
It’ll be interesting to see if they continue to prioritize minutes for their younger players moving forward, as Sacramento sits at 12-40, owners of the worst record in the NBA. No matter, picking up Cardwell in undrafted free agency has been a small victory in an otherwise underwhelming season.
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Friday, February 6th – vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PT
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