Bold claim: The Kings have secured a two-way contract for Patrick Baldwin Jr., signaling a calculated bet on a seasoned forward with more to prove. But here's where it gets controversial: will a fourth NBA season and a two-way deal be enough to spark a meaningful breakout?
Patrick Baldwin Jr., a former first-round pick, has spent the majority of the 2025–26 season slicing time in the G League with the San Diego Clippers. He’s recently inked 10-day stints with both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers, and now he returns to the NBA landscape under Sacramento on a two-way contract.
A quick snapshot: Baldwin is listed at 7 feet tall and plays the power forward position. Since being selected 28th overall in the 2022 draft, he has appeared in 96 NBA games across stints with the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers. His career averages stand at 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, across roughly 8.8 minutes per appearance.
In the NBAGL this season with San Diego, Baldwin has put up strong numbers: in 26 games averaging 33.8 minutes, he’s posting 21.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting .518 from the field, .336 from three, and .667 at the free-throw line.
The Kings entered the window with an open two-way slot, making Baldwin’s signing straightforward without a corresponding move. Sacramento still holds a standard roster opening, leaving room for additional acquisitions or development.
What this move means for Baldwin—and for Sacramento—depends on how aggressively the team wants to leverage his versatility and shooting ability in a league that increasingly rewards players who can contribute in multiple roles. With two-way contracts often serving as a proving ground, Baldwin’s performance in practice and in opportunities with the Kings will be the ultimate determinant of his long-term role.
Thought-provoking questions for the comments: Do you think Baldwin has already shown enough to become a regular NBA contributor, or is the path to a full roster spot still too steep? Could his high-efficiency NBAGL shooting translate into sustained NBA value, or should teams prioritize players with more established NBA-ready impact? Share your take and reasons below.
