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\u2019s been promoted to a standard deal, those limitations have been lifted.<\/p>\n
Before it became official, and knowing it was expected to take place after the deadline, the 24-year-old expressed his gratitude following Wednesday\u2019s loss to the Grizzlies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just thankful, thankful to the Lord first, and then secondly, to the front office, just for going out there and trusting me,\u201d Cardwell said<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity to have, and I\u2019m excited\u2026 I\u2019m just out there trying to play and compete and whatever comes with it, comes with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Cardwell leans heavily on his faith, opening every media availability with, \u201cFirst and foremost, all glory to my lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.\u201d He expanded on that as he continued reflecting on his journey, work ethic, and opportunities that have led to this point.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been working hard for this opportunity, but at the same time, (I) can\u2019t take any credit, because you can\u2019t author this how the Lord has authored it. And when I say that, I mean, like coming in as a two-way, I wasn\u2019t promised any opportunity. Look around the two ways in the league, some guys are playing a lot, and some guys haven\u2019t touched the NBA floor, and so just because I was working hard doesn\u2019t mean that I was promised or guaranteed a position to play.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThings had to happen, and the Lord gifted me an opportunity, and I took advantage of that,\u201d he continued. \u201cI was persistent through it all. But, at the end of the day, I signed up for two year two-way (contract), and they didn\u2019t have to play me. They didn\u2019t have to put me in there. And so none of that is to my credit at all.\u201d<\/p>\n In their most recent showing against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kings\u2019 head coach Doug Christie Cardwell even closed the game in favor of a healthy Sabonis.<\/p>\n It\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season<\/p>\n Friday, February 6th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Los Angeles Clippers \u2013 7:00 PM PT Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
\nSaturday, February 7th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers \u2013 7:00 PM PT
\nMonday, February 9th\u00a0\u2013 @ New Orleans Pelicans \u2013 5:00 PM PT
\nWednesday, February 11th\u00a0\u2013 @ Utah Jazz \u2013 6:00 PM PT
\nThursday, February 19th\u00a0vs. Orlando Magic \u2013 7:00 PM PT<\/p>\n
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