How Could Black, Newton Stand Out in Kings Training Camp?

The Sacramento Kings' training camp is here, and only one two-way contract is available for recent signees before the regular season.

Sacramento revealed its roster a few days ago, and two new names are Leaky Black and Tristen Newton, who was signed last Saturday. Both will enter their third season, fighting for an opportunity to find a permanent home.

Black and Newton offer a similar skill set that the Kings desperately need to win games next season: defense.

The third-year players were pesky defenders in college, generating over one steal per game and guarding the opposing team's best perimeter scorers.

Newton is the more polished player of the duo, dominating the G League with the Indiana Mad Ants, Iowa Wolves and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He averaged 25.5 points and 2.1 steals on 37.8% from three-point range over 35 games last season.

His stellar year earned him All-NBA G League First Team and could earn the Kings' last two-way deal.

An underrated aspect of Newton's game is his rebounding, which is elite for a 6-foot-3 guard. Newton averaged 5.4 rebounds in the G League and 6.6 as a senior at UConn in the 2023-24 season.

He brings championship experience from his college days and is reuniting with former teammate Alex Karaban.

Black is 6-foot-6, adding more size to Sacramento's wing depth. He joins a deep room with Keegan Murray, De'Andre Hunter and Ben Simmons.

The 27-year-old spent his entire career at North Carolina, carving out a role as a 3-and-D wing. He guarded Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh and New Orleans Pelicans guard Kobe Bufkin as a senior in the 2023-24 season.

Black improved as a three-point shooter over his collegiate career, starting at 25.4% on two attempts and ending at 32.6%.

He played 16 games for the Washington Wizards after they signed him to a two-way contract last season. Black averaged 7.1 points and shot 34.5% from three-point range on 3.7 attempts.

Both signees likely won't get meaningful minutes if one makes the team, but Sacramento is upgrading on the margins to accelerate a rebuild.

The Kings finished with the third-worst defensive rating in NBA history, allowing 121 points per game, fourth-worst behind the Chicago Bulls (121.5). They also tied last with the Brooklyn Nets in three-point shooting at 34%.

Jonathan Mogbo and Adam Flagler are occupying two of the three two-way contracts, leaving the last one potentially between Newton and Black.