At 4:51 a.m., Isaac received the news that had been waiting for so long. “My agent called me with the Sacramento option, which offered me a contract. I had to choose between several teams. He told me that he would not go to sleep until the agreement was closed. 11 minutes passedI remember, ”confessed Isaac Nogués Sport.
Although initially he was reluctant to follow the draft-“In the afternoon-night, my American agent told me that I had spoken with the teams and that it was most likely not to be drained”-, his friends and family insisted on seeing him: “So I got together with them and we saw him whole.”
Overcoming expectations
Nogués had made a campaign with the RIP City Remix, the team linked in the G-League of the Portland Blazers, well above the initial expectations. Its impact has been such that it was appointed as One of the best players in the league in the defensive facet, being included in the best defensive quintet of the season. Besides, He beat the robber record in the same encounter with the figure of 10.
That resulted in workouts with different NBA franchises at the end of the season and prior to the draft. Despite this, Nogués thought that the next season he would continue to be tied to Portland: “After spending the whole year with them, I could have opted for this contract there, but Sacramento seemed more interested. From the beginning I thought he would end up in Portland again, but it wasn't”He explains.
Exhibit 10 con Sacramento
It was not drafted but, nevertheless, Nogués reaches the NBA from another route. More and more common in the summers of the NBA, the Exhibit 10a key tool for franchises during the Summer League and preseason. It is an agreement for the minimum wage, without guaranteed moneyalthough with the possibility of a bonus of up to $ 50,000 If the player is cut and remains 60 days in the affiliated team of G League.
“The difference with respect to last year is that, no matter how well they played, they could not offer me a contract because I had not gone through the draft. Now that option exists” ”
In addition, it can become a two -way ' or even in a standard if the player convinces. This explained it Isaac Noguéswho reaches the NBA from a Exhibit 10: “It is a normal contract, the guaranteed minimum of the NBA. What the teams do is normally cut you when the preseason ends … but if you like you a lot, they make you a Tway or a normal contract. The good thing is that it is guaranteed, so if they cut you, they pay you what they owe you.”
Nogués also highlights the difference of the contract that he will have this time compared to the one in the G-League with Rip City: “The difference with respect to last year is that, why played, they could not offer me a contract because I had not gone through the draft. Now that option exists.”
Equipment can sign until six exhibit 10 per seasonand paid by bonus Do not comput on the salary limit or the luxury taxwhich makes it a very attractive option to evaluate talent without financial risk and offer players how Nogués the opportunity to demonstrate what they are capable of.
The team to which it reaches
The player formed in the Joventut Badalona reaches a set that has undergone many changes in a short time. A franchise with a course to define today. This last season of the Sacramento Kings He has represented a new step back for a franchise that seemed to have found stability in 2023.
This year, after a painful elimination in the play-in before the Dallas Mavericksthe organization has been involved in a series of deep changes that reflect both internal decisions and external pressures.
The dismissal of Coach of the year in 2023, Mike Brownmarked the beginning of a structural shake that continued with the transfer of De'aaron fox by Zach LaVine Together with future draft selections. In addition, the GM exit, Monte McNair, gave way to the arrival of Scott Perry already confirmation of Doug Christie as the new main coach of the Californians.
“The first time they showed interest to me. They told my agent that there were people within the franchise interested in me.”
About Perry, a new GM of the Kings, Nogués ensures that it has been one of the keys to his arrival at the Californian franchise: “The first time they showed interest to me. My agent was told that there were people inside the franchise interested in me. They changed GM, who is the one who rides the draft, and I think that person showed more interest in me than usual.”
In this draft, the kings did not have any pick in the first round. His moment came in the second round in 42nd position where they selected the 22 -year -old Frenchman, Maxime Raynaud. Despite selecting the Gaul, Nogués confesses that there was a franchise interest in taking its services previously: “Sacramento had the pick number 42 and they had interest. I didn't go so far from being drafted.”
Nogues now comes to Sacramento, A team that Face a decisive summer. Kings must define whether they continue their struggle to seek to maintain a good level or accept a deeper reconstruction.
The Summer League, a fire test
From July 10 to 20, in Las Vegas, he will have his first great opportunity: he will be part of the team in the summer league. A competition that makes it special illusion. “I am very motivated. It is a tournament that I have seen on television all my life and I never thought I would play it.”I commented with a smile. “I face it with great desire, knowing that I have a goal,” added that of Badalona.
The decision on whether a hole is won in the next season could reach the end of the Summer League or after the preseasonwhich will run until the end of October.
