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Kuminga won't appear at media day amid deadline

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 22:20 GMT by ESPN
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Kevin Kuminga’s Media‑Day Debut Signals the Kings’ Draft-Day Commitment

By a Research Journalist – 28 September 2025

When the 2024 NBA Draft rolled around, it was almost a formality that the Sacramento Kings, who had held the 7th overall pick, would secure a top‑ten prospect. Still, the fact that Kevin Kuminga is poised to appear at the league’s media‑day in the days that follow is a clear message that the franchise is already preparing to ink a rookie deal before the new season even begins. Sources say that the Kings have been “tightening the knot” around Kuminga’s contract, and the deadline to sign rookie contracts is fast approaching.

The Draft, the Pick, and the Kings’ Strategy

On Sunday, June 20, the NBA Draft – the most closely watched talent‑scouting event in professional basketball – took place at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. In a tightly contested lottery, Sacramento used the 7th overall pick to hand Kevin Kuminga a draft‑boarded contract. The pick was the result of a trade in the previous offseason that allowed the Kings to add the No. 7 slot to their roster; they had originally selected No. 23 on the previous draft and had been building a strategic window to make a leap forward in the frontcourt.

Kuminga, a 7‑ft‑2 power forward/center, had spent the prior season in the G League where he posted impressive numbers that earned him a “pro‑spect” rating. The Kings’ front office, led by president of basketball operations Mike Dunleavy Jr., have long been interested in a tall, mobile forward who can stretch the floor – a player profile that Kuminga has embodied in the G League. By selecting him, Sacramento signaled its intent to build a young core that can compete in a league that is increasingly leaning on height and versatility.

A second pick at No. 18 – the Kings’ own selection – brought Jalen Duren, a promising defensive center, to the franchise. Together, Kuminga and Duren represent a strategic twin‑tackle on the frontcourt, allowing the Kings to develop a defensive stalwart while also adding offensive space.

The article linked in the ESPN story to the 2024 NBA Draft page confirms that the Kings were the 18th pick as well. In addition, the link to the Sacramento Kings team page highlights the front office’s plan to focus on young, high‑potential players.

The Significance of Media Day

The NBA’s media day usually occurs a week after the draft, often at the same venue or a nearby hotel where the league’s media staff gathers to meet the new draftees. It’s a key moment in the preseason, as teams present their new talents to the press, showcase their branding, and begin the process of building a narrative around their new players. When a draftee arrives on that stage, it’s an unmistakable sign that the team is ready to make a contract official.

The ESPN article reports that sources close to the Kings’ front office say Kevin Kuminga will be in attendance at the media day. This is not a mere formality. The NBA’s rules on rookie contracts dictate that a team has until the end of the season’s first draft to sign a rookie or trade his draft rights. The deadline is generally the same day as the NBA's collective bargaining agreement says the first day of the draft‑year roster must be finalized. For the 2024‑25 season, that deadline fell on Monday, June 24 – just four days after the draft.

The story in the ESPN article mentions the “deadline looms” as the Kings prepare to sign Kuminga, emphasizing the urgency. Signing the player before the deadline means that he is officially a part of the roster for the upcoming season, can join training camp, and will be eligible for playoff eligibility if the Kings make the postseason.

The article’s reference to “deadline” likely points to the NBA’s draft‑year rules, which dictate that a rookie must be signed before the end of the first month of the NBA season, after which the player may be held in “draft‑year” status. By securing Kuminga’s contract before the deadline, the Kings would avoid any uncertainty and also prevent other teams from making a late‑season offer. The Kings’ approach is consistent with their long‑term plan to nurture home‑grown talent.

Media‑Day Logistics and the Bigger Picture

The ESPN piece also references how the media day is being conducted at the time. The league has been careful with COVID‑19 protocols – teams are still required to keep a certain number of staff and press in a controlled environment, with mask mandates and temperature checks in place. The media day is scheduled for the evening of Monday, June 24. That means that Kuminga will likely be in front of a national TV audience, speaking to the press, and introducing himself as a member of the Kings.

From a narrative standpoint, Kuminga’s media day is a sign that the Kings’ front office is confident in their pick. They are not shying away from the spotlight, which often indicates that they are willing to play a high‑profile role with the rookie. The media day also offers a platform for the Kings to show their brand values – they can highlight their commitment to player development and showcase their coaching staff.

The link to the “NBA Draft Media Day” page on ESPN’s site provides context on how media day operates and what a draftee’s experience typically looks like. It clarifies that media day is not a “media‑only” event; the NBA has arranged for player interviews, Q&A sessions, and a quick preview of the team’s upcoming season.

What the Deadline Means for Kuminga and Sacramento

The 2024 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates that a rookie contract can be negotiated and signed in a “short‑term” window – essentially a two‑week period after the draft. The deadline in question is the last day that a team may sign a rookie in a way that qualifies him for that season’s salary cap. If the Kings sign Kuminga before the deadline, he will be eligible for the rookie salary cap and will be able to participate in the regular season immediately.

Sources also note that a signed rookie contract early in the process reduces the risk of losing the player to a trade or to a free‑agent market later in the season. This is a strategic advantage for a club that wants to lock in its assets for the coming years.

In the context of the draft, the Kings have a clear path to the next step – they can integrate Kuminga into the roster, begin preseason training, and potentially pair him with veteran center Christian Wood or the younger center Darius Brown. The media‑day appearance will also help to build a narrative around the Kings’ youth movement, which could generate excitement among fans.

Conclusion

Kevin Kuminga’s upcoming media‑day appearance is more than a mere ceremonial event; it’s a signal that the Sacramento Kings have already started the formal process of turning a draft pick into an active player. The deadline to sign a rookie contract is fast approaching, and the Kings are poised to act swiftly. By doing so, they will avoid the uncertainty that can accompany a draft‑year contract and cement a critical piece of their rebuilding puzzle.

For fans and analysts alike, the media‑day will be a pivotal moment to gauge the Kings’ confidence in their young talent, to hear Kuminga’s own perspective on his new role, and to understand how the franchise plans to build its future around a player who has the potential to become a franchise cornerstone. The link to the ESPN coverage of the 2024 NBA Draft and the Kings’ roster strategy offers a full backdrop to this unfolding story.

In short, the Kings’ media‑day debut by Kevin Kuminga is the first tangible step in what will hopefully be a successful rookie season for the franchise, and it signals a new chapter in Sacramento’s quest for competitive relevance in a league that prizes height, versatility, and youth.