Former St. John’s basketball standout returns to Sacramento Kings

Former St. John’s basketball standout Maurice Harkless is staying with the Sacramento Kings. 

After a productive half season with the Sacramento Kings former St. John’s basketball standout Maurice Harkless has resigned with the Kings in the first day of NBA free agency.

Harkless spent the first half of the 2020-21 season with the Miami Heat after an offseason trade but was again quickly shipped out to Sacramento where he averaged 6.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in 26 games with the Kings.

The former Johnny made 20 starts for the struggling Kings after playing in just 11 games with the Heat earlier in the season.

Harkless’ new deal is for two years and worth $11 million, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

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Since leaving the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent the first seven years of his NBA career, Moe Harkless has been on four teams (Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Heat, and Kings) over the last two seasons.

After his one season in Queens, the Queens, New York native was the No. 15 overall pick of the Philadelphia 76ers before being shipped to Orlando in a draft day trade.

Harkless was the Big East Rookie of the Year and averaged 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game with St. John’s.

How the former St. John’s basketball standout will fit in Kings rotation

The Sacramento Kings have been a perennial bottom feeder in the Western Conference for the last 15 seasons and things do not seem to be changing for the better as trade rumors surround young standouts Buddy Hield and Marvin Bagley III.

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However, with a young and thin front-court, Moe Harkless will not only be able to see an expanded role on the floor he will also bring valuable leadership experience off the floor to the Kings.

Both sides seems enamored with the partnership and it’s only a matter of time to see if the signing of Moe Harkless will result in more wins for the Sacramento Kings.