Sacramento Kings rookie center Dylan Cardwell signed a multiyear contract with the organization on Thursday, the team announced in a press release.
The Kings signed Cardwell using a roster spot created when they traded Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for De'Andre Hunter on Sunday. The team also sent Dario Šarić and two second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls.
Cardwell, who signed a two-way contract with the Kings after going undrafted out of Auburn, reportedly agreed to a four-year standard deal, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The first two years of the contract are fully guaranteed.
The Sacramento Kings are signing rookie center Dylan Cardwell to a four-year deal, agent Corey Marcum tells ESPN. The deal includes two fully guaranteed years. Cardwell has averaged 4.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 20 minutes this season.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
Cardwell has emerged as a key contributor for the Kings, averaging 4.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 assists on 59.8% shooting from the field in 25 appearances. He is third among rookies in blocks (42) and sixth in offensive rebounds (71).
The 24-year-old has appeared in each of the last 16 games for coach Doug Christie, averaging 5.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 assists. He has hauled in at least 10 rebounds six times, tied for the fourth-most games by a rookie this season.
With the Kings in last place in the Western Conference, the team will likely look to prioritize minutes for players like Cardwell over the second half of the season. Cardwell should soon have the chance to showcase himself in a larger role over the duration of the year.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Kings news: Undrafted Dylan Cardwell inks 4-year standard contract