James Ham
@James_HamNBA
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Co-host of The Insiders for @ESPN1320. Credentialed media member providing coverage of Sacramento Kings at https://t.co/V5STaijS2J and The Kings Beat Podcast.
Joined March 2009
Over the last few weeks I've been busy creating The Kings Beat podcast and a new writing platform to go along with my work at @ESPN1320 Here is an introduction to The Kings Beat with James Ham via @James_HamNBA.
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De’Aaron Fox on whether he would have stayed at Kentucky if he was getting paid as a collegiate athlete. Sorry about the language.
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According to multiple sources, if De'Aaron Fox leaves the Kings via trade, his preferred landing spot is the San Antonio Spurs. It could be an interesting couple of days in Sacramento.
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Last night there was fake Klay Thompson. Tonight in Sacramento.
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A Los Angeles court awarded Kings center, Richaun Holmes, sole physical and sole legal custody of his son. Holmes' ex-wife defied LA court order and took the child to Georgia. A Georgia court conferred with LA court and ruled in Richaun's favor. Richaun now has his son.
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Harrison Barnes on he and his wife’s decision to pay for the funeral of Atatiana Jefferson.
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"1000%, yeah." -Malik Monk on whether Sacramento is his NBA home now.
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"Don't disrespect Andrew Bogut like that." -Harrison Barnes when asked whether he's played with a passing big like Domantas Sabonis.
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Mike Brown addressed the passing of Warriors assistant Dejan Milojevic:
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Trey Lyles said he would love to be back in a Kings uniform next season, “This is the most at home I’ve felt of any team I’ve been on.” Lyles is an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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Nuggets and Kings stand in solidarity with Alex Len and Ukraine for a moment of silence in pregame.
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Harrison Barnes' Kings career ends after 399 games, all of which were starts. One of the NBA's true gentleman. He'll be missed in Sacramento, both on and off the court.
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Domantas Sabonis is very excited to have his good friend Jonas Valanciunas join the squad:
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Mike Brown was fired up after his team blew a 14 point fourth quarter lead to drop their fifth straight.
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A very emotional postgame press conference from Harrison Barnes. Clearly this game meant a lot to him personally and for his story in Sacramento.
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The Clippers didn't need help, but they got it from Tony Brothers. The veteran official was awful and almost cost the Kings a game. In a wild, playoff caliber game, the Kings found a way to overcome a brutal night from the officials for a 176-175 double-overtime win. Here are 7.
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According to a league source, the Sacramento Kings have six TNT games this season, five on ESPN and another 11 on NBATV.
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After playing 45 minutes last night, Keegan Murray is the last King on the practice court today.
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According to a league source, Luke Walton will continue as head coach of the Sacramento Kings next season.
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"I've been wanting this my whole six years. I'm thankful I did it with Sacramento. Changing the culture. Doing it with my best friend, Fox. This is amazing." .-Malik Monk on making the playoffs (via telecast).
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"I got him a win." -Keegan Murray on what he got De'Aaron Fox for a baby gift (per telecast).
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"There's no pressure for us. Ain't nobody think we would be here." -Malik Monk.
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"I'm just trying to find a home and I feel like I found it here." .-Sabonis.
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"I want to be one of those guys that hit the beam." -DeMar DeRozan.
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"I was like, damn Buddy, Alvin traded you twice." -Fox on Buddy.
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A star is born. Keegan Murray has been stacking solid games, but this was something new. The second-year forward dropped a cool 47 on the Jazz, leading the Kings to a 125-104 win, despite the absence of De'Aaron Fox. Here are six quick thoughts:.
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Keegan Murray has officially been invited to The Rising Stars game at All-Star weekend.
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I'm going to guess that more people are watching this game in the middle of the night in Portugal than are in Golden 1 Center tonight.
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Sabonis is smiling from ear-to-ear. He's having a good time with his new teammates. Crazy pace and energy from the Kings.
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De'Aaron Fox named Western Conference Player of the Week. Tyrese Haliburton named as Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
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Buddy Hield said that Steph Curry is now his favorite player in the league. Loves how he works and shoots the lights out.
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Sacramento stand up. For a second straight game, the Kings outlasted the reigning champ at Golden 1, this time by a final of 114-106. The Kings now hold a 2-0 advantage over the Warriors with the series headed to San Francisco. Here are six quick thoughts:.
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Mike Brown becomes the first Kings coach since Rick Adelman to earn a contract extension in Sacramento.
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Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray has been named the Most Valuable Player of NBA 2K23 Summer League 2022.
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Neemias Queta is stepping to the table to make his NBA debut. Are you awake Portugal?.
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Kevin Huerter just pointed out that Keegan Murray played a game-high 45 minutes tonight.
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According to a league source, the Sacramento Kings have agreed to sign Neemias Queta to a standard contract. No details yet, but the 7-footer out of Portugal is back.
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Now this is a series. Behind a crazy packed house at Golden 1 Center the Kings made it clear to the Warriors and the NBA world that they aren't going to be an easy out. In a wild one, the Kings took a 1-0 lead in the series with a 126-123 win. Here are six quick thoughts:.
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League sources confirm that Kings and Bulls have discussed a potential sign and trade for DeMar DeRozan. Trade requires a third team, which is lined up, but there is competition for DeRozan's services.
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Playoffs. The Sacramento Kings snapped their 16-year playoff drought Wednesday evening when they walked into the Moda Center and crushed the Blazers by a final of 120-80. Here are six quick thoughts as the Kings picked up win No. 46:.
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According to Monte McNair, the Kings had 5 or 6 players in the building today working out.
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"We want to be here. I want to be here." -Domantas Sabonis.
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Kings forward Keegan Murray named to the NBA's All-Rookie first team.
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“I should have pulled that bitch, I should have pulled it.” -A frustrated Buddy Hield following the loss to the Warriors.
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Domantas Sabonis has won the Western Conference Player of the Week award.
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According to a league source, the Sacramento Kings will not extend a qualifying offer to shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo. He is now an unrestricted free agent.
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DeMar DeRozan is now sitting courtside at the California Classic.
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The Sacramento Kings have won the NBA’s Team of the Year and Team Innovation Awards this year. Team of the year is for “outstanding business growth and impactful fan and community engagement efforts.” The innovative award is for the “victory beam.”
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"I see myself being here. I want to be here." -De'Aaron Fox on his future in Sacramento.
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Really good stuff from Zach LaVine from the locker room. He needs time to make adjustments. He also hadn’t played since Jan. 27 due to the birth of his third child. He looked rusty.
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After 6 years at NBC Sports, the decision was made to sunset the Kings Insider position. I will have some exciting announcements soon, but know that I still have a passion for covering the Kings and I will continue to show up every day to provide the best coverage possible.
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According to a league source, Jonas Valanciunas is available for the Sacramento Kings tonight in Portland.
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Huerter clearly gets fouled on a last second three. No call. Kings lose.
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According to a league source, Zach LaVine is expected to be in uniform for the Kings on Wednesday night when the Orlando Magic visit Golden 1 Center.
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Trading Richaun Holmes to the Dallas Mavericks clears up a tremendous amount of cap space for the Sacramento Kings. Holmes' $12M, plus the $2.7M hold for No. 24 is worth almost $15M in space and puts the Kings well over $30M under the cap.
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This is a tough trade for Kings fans. Tyrese Haliburton is one of the most likable players to land in Sacramento in years. Domantas Sabonis is a 25-year-old two-time All-Star. Kings need to make sure he stays beyond two years, which means they aren't done revamping roster.
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This is that moment when the Kings should use all of their capspace to buy their way into the Eastern Conference.
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Hang a banner. For just the third time in 38 year in Sacramento, the Kings are Pacific Division Champs. They walked into New Orleans and knocked off a red hot Pelicans squad by a final of 121-103. Here are six quick thoughts as the Kings pick up win No. 48:.
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"I just want, at the end of the game, somebody to step up and make the right call. A guy gets hit on the arm shooting a 3, it's a foul. A guy take 6 steps or 4 steps, it's a travel. We just want an opportunity to win in overtime." -Mike Brown to reporters at Oracle.
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Mike Brown answering a barbaric yelp from across the room:
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League source confirms that Kings general manager Monte McNair has agreed to a contract extension. His deal was set to end after the season. ESPN first with the information.
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The Sacramento Kings have named Doug Christie to the coaching staff as an assistant coach.
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"The Kings mean so much to the city, you can feel it. It's different in other NBA cities." -Kevin Huerter on Sacramento. "It makes you feel a part of something.".
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Let's play 7. With their backs up against the wall, the Kings walked into Chase Center and stunned the champs. Sacramento was the aggressor from the tip, handing the Warriors a 118-99 loss to tie the series at 3-3. Here are six quick thoughts.
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The Sacramento Kings are heading to the Las Vegas Summer League Finals where they will face the Boston Celtics. Congrats to coach Bobby Jackson and crew.
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According to a league source, Kings and Trey Lyles have agreed to a new two-year deal. Waiting on confirmation of final numbers.
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“After you learn to put yourself together after 2016, I think one shot isn’t going to faze you.” -Harrison Barnes
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40. The last time the Kings won 40 games in a season, Rick Adelman was the coach. 17 seasons later, it's Mike Brown who has led his squad to a 40-26 record and he still has time for more wins. Here are 6 quick thoughts as the Kings knock off the Suns by a final of 128-119.
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The Kings are rolling. In a stunner, Sacramento walked into Boston and beat up the Celtics for a 114-97 victory. With the win, the Kings' sixth straight, they climbed back to .500 on the season and improved to 6-1 in the Doug Christie era. Here are six quick thoughts:.
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It was an extremely emotional locker room in Sacramento. Players didn't really have time to process the emotions of the evening. Fox and Jackson played together in AAU. Giles and Bagley looked to Shumpert for mentorship. It will be interesting to see how Sac come out of this.
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Last Two Minute report confirms that Tyler Herro traveled on his game winning three pointer against the Sacramento Kings.
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League source confirms that the Sacramento Kings have landed Jonas Valanciunas via trade from the Washington Wizards for Sidy Cissoko and two second round picks. @TheSteinLine first with the news.
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Draymond Green was yelling in the face of Tony Brothers during the time out. No tech call.
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Vivek rushes the court after Buddy’s win. Kings and their fans needed a little good news.
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It's Keegan Murray's world, we're all just living in it. The Kings' second-year forward put on a show, scoring 41 points while leading the Kings to a 95-83 win over the Miami Heat to close out the California Classic. Here are six quick thoughts:.
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"It's special for me to be here. It feels like home." -Keegan Murray.
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A drunk fan has puked on the court. He was escorted out and it was a hot mess.
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Confirming that Richaun Holmes is signing a 4-year, $55 million contract with the Sacramento Kings. Most lucrative deal for a true free agent center on the market.
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My opinion of the De’Aaron Fox trade might change if the Kings can wrap Cam Johnson or another substantial player into the bigger trade.
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In his first three games, Kings rookie Davion Mitchell has played against Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Donovan Mitchell, Jordan Clarkson, Stephen Curry and Jordan Clarkson (and others). Steph was the toughest. Next up, Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
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Keegan Murray said that Khris Middleton is one of the players he models his game after.
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According to a lead source, the Kings are not currently involved in any trade talks regarding Harrison Barnes. They are focused on building chemistry with this group of players, and the positive start to the season.
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De’Aaron Fox was asked about the Kyrie Irving situation. He wasn’t interested in engaging in the conversation.
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"It's a really cool feeling just to have this city have your back." .-Keegan Murray on fans booing when he came out of the game late.
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The Sacramento Kings have moved into the top 4 of the 2022 NBA Draft.
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Per the NBA transaction list, the Sacramento Kings have officially signed Sasha Vezenkov.
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De'Aaron Fox is the Western Conference player of the week. Well deserved. Kings 4-0. 31 points, 8.8 assists.
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According to an NBA source, Keegan Murray is not part of any Kings trade discussions. More at The Kings Beat:
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Malik Monk was all smiles today after signing a new 4-year, $78 million deal with the Kings. “Feels like home.”
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Good moment from De’Aaron Fox. “I’ve been here through good, bad, terrible, so yeah, I want to win for this city, just as much as I want to win for myself and this organization.”
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