Stockton Kings won’t do bubble
The Stockton Kings will not play the 2021 season after the Sacramento Kings decided to opt out of joining the NBA G League Bubble.
“After a thorough analysis, we determined that the Stockton Kings will not participate in the 2021 NBA G League single-site format,” Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair said via news release. “Given the pandemic and related health and safety protocols, the flexibility of having our full roster available in Sacramento is a priority relative to the expected reduced number of G
League games available. Once past the current challenges, we look forward to returning to Stockton.”
The G League announced the participation of 18 teams set to travel to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando. The participating teams include 17 NBA affiliates, as well as the G League developmental team known as the “G League Ignite.”
According to a news release, the 2021 season is expected to be a shortened season with a schedule announced at a later. The top eight teams after the regular season will advance to a single-elimination playoff format.
Eleven teams joined the Kings’ organization in opting out of the season, including the Los Angeles Lakers’ affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
“We are in close contact with the NBA regarding future plans to safely resume gameplay in home markets and remain committed to the Stockton community,” said Dustin Toms, the Stockton Kings Vice President of Business Operations via news release. “Once league health and safety protocols and state and local public health guidelines permit, we eagerly anticipate playing in front of our valued fans at Stockton Arena. Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to support the 209 during these unprecedented times, both virtually and in a safe, physically distanced manner.”
Teams, like the Kings, who have opted out will have the ability to flex assign players to teams participating in the single-site format, according to the news release.