Watch McDaniels’ funny reaction to the alleged transfer to the Kings Originally appeared in Sports NBC Bay Area
The Kings’ new forward learned that he was reportedly traded from the Toronto Raptors to Sacramento in a very funny way.
Jalen McDaniels, a six-year NBA veteran, was in the middle of an offseason workout Wednesday when his coach Clint Parks put a camera on him, documenting the San Diego State product’s joyful reaction to breaking news on the networks. social.
Parks, recognized in the NBA world for his development tactics and his work with LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, shared the video of McDaniels in an Instagram Stories post from his account. @keolanakealohafor everyone to see (h/t @BASKETBALLonX).
Professional athletes, one would imagine, would be made aware that they are being traded (or that something major has occurred involving them) by the organizations that transfer them. That was not the case here.
Instead, McDaniels and Parks shared a moment they’ll never forget and one that Kings fans, in particular, will cherish for a while.
McDaniels, he humorously learned, was sent across the border to Sacramento from Toronto.
The Kings acquired McDaniels in exchange for guard Davion Mitchell and forward Sasha Vezenkov, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Thursday afternoon, citing sources.
Sources: Toronto will send Jalen McDaniels to the Kings for Davion Mitchell and Sasha Vezenkov.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2024
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported Thursday, citing sources, that Sacramento also sent the 45th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to Toronto, which ended up being Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead.
The Kings will send the 45th pick in Thursday’s NBA draft to the Raptors as part of the trade, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/TtvJfea9Fi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2024
While McDaniels provided smiles for fans after their reaction to their trade went viral, the experienced forward is expected to be no fun (for opposing teams to play against him, that is).
McDaniels is known for his 6-foot-9, 205-pound frame, and his younger brother, Jaden, is a highly respected defenseman for the contending Minnesota Timberwolves.
Sacramento’s new forward hasn’t had the best NBA career in six seasons, with career averages of 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists, but he offers the team length and defensive versatility, and the most important thing is the untapped potential.
For a point guard-heavy team like the Kings, who just signed another point guard in Devin Carter from Providence, McDaniels could see plenty of minutes during the 2024-25 NBA season.
Still, McDaniels’ introduction to Sacramento will always be remembered for being fun.