Kings Reward Dylan Cardwell with Four-Year Deal

Sacramento promotes rookie from two-way contract after recent trade opens roster spot

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:57am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, breaking a basketball game down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of vibrant team colors like royal purple, silver, and white, conceptually representing the Kings' roster moves.The Kings' bold move to promote young forward Dylan Cardwell reflects their vision for the team's future, breaking down the roster in a cubist, geometric style.Today in Sacramento

The Sacramento Kings have made a bold move, converting Dylan Cardwell's two-way contract to a four-year standard deal worth over $7 million. This decision comes after the team recently opened up two roster spots in a trade, allowing them to reward the young forward who has impressed with his energy, rebounding, and interior defense in limited playing time as a rookie.

Why it matters

The Kings' decision to promote Cardwell from a two-way deal to a multi-year contract shows their faith in his potential and desire to develop him as part of the team's future. This move also leaves the Kings with an open standard roster spot and a two-way vacancy, creating intrigue around who they may target next to bolster their roster.

The details

Cardwell's new four-year deal will pay him a base salary of $871,000 for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, followed by guaranteed salaries of $2.15 million in 2026/27, $2.53 million in 2027/28, and $2.74 million in 2028/29. The final two years of the contract are non-guaranteed, with the last year being a team option.

  • The Kings made the contract promotion official at 5:43 pm on April 12, 2026.
  • Cardwell had played in 25 games as a rookie, averaging 4.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 20 minutes per game.

The players

Dylan Cardwell

A 23-year-old forward who was on a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings and has impressed with his energy, rebounding, and interior defense in limited playing time as a rookie.

Rory Maher

A reporter who revealed the financial details of Cardwell's new four-year contract with the Kings.

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What they’re saying

“This move came after the team had recently opened up two standard roster spots in a trade for De'Andre Hunter.”

— Rory Maher, Reporter

What’s next

The Kings now have an open standard roster spot and a two-way vacancy to fill, and fans are eager to see who the team will target next to bolster their roster.

The takeaway

The Kings' decision to promote Cardwell from a two-way deal to a multi-year contract demonstrates their faith in his potential and desire to develop him as part of the team's future. This move also leaves the Kings with roster flexibility to add more talent, creating excitement around the team's next moves.