Kings Championship MVP Open to Contract Talks

Friday, March 17, 2023

All-NBL First Team member and newly minted Larry Sengstock Trophy winner Derrick Walton Jr has failed to calm speculation he could be moving on from the Sydney Kings

All-NBL First Team member and newly minted Larry Sengstock Trophy winner Derrick Walton Jr says he's happy to open contract talks to stay at the Sydney Kings.

Speaking to the media following the Kings' second straight championship, Walton Jr's statement follows him saying he will make the "educated decision" in the minutes after the victory over New Zealand.

In addition to his Larry Sengstock Trophy as the Championship Series MVP, Walton Jr also took home Foot Locker Player of the Game honours in the do-or-die Game 5, thanks to his 21 points and six assists.

Across 34 games in his debut campaign with the Kings, the former LA Clipper averaged 15.9 points per game on 47.4 per cent shooting, 6.1 assists and 5.8 rebounds.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Yuuuuuuuup" ?<br><br>Derrick Walton Jr is stoked with the Kings' title win ? <a href="https://t.co/1sU4HF02fq">pic.twitter.com/1sU4HF02fq</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1635959068434247682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I think we’ll have that conversation when the time is right,” Walton Jr said when asked about contract talks. “I don’t really have an answer for you right now.

“I just appreciate the guys opening their arms from day one and allowing me to be me, allowing me to be the best version of me to be able to help the group which is something I appreciate and is a conversation we had prior to me coming here.

“I’m extremely satisfied and happy with how everything ended.”

With Walton Jr and fellow guard Angus Glover both still to be negotiated, the Kings’ backcourt depth could be undergoing wholesale changes as they enter NBL24.

ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc says South East Melbourne has strong interest in Glover's services.

Glover has solidified his hero status amongst the Sydney fanbase for his ability to turn Game 5 on its head, despite suffering what looked to be a serious chest injury.

He was seen hunched over on the bench, unable to raise his arms at one point, but rallied to change the game off the back of two crucial scores and a solid defensive play.

“Chase came up to me multiple times to see if I was ok, I was hunched over, barely able to speak but saying yes – just trying to find whatever I could to help the guys over the line,” Glover reflected.

“I just wanted to win. The constant impact didn’t help but I wanted to continue playing to win.

“Obviously there’s always bumps and bruises throughout the year and the Championship Series was a little bit more physical than what a regular season game is. I’m pretty banged up but the celebrations will make it feel better.”

The Kings secured their second consecutive title in Wednesday night’s Game 5 victory over the New Zealand Breakers.

The immediate futures of both Walton Jr and Glover are set to become clearer in the coming weeks, as NBL Free Agency opens on March 30.