Tristen Newton is off the Sacramento Kings roster as of Sunday. The move follows a Saturday report that the Kings waived him along with Viktor Lakhin and Elfrid Payton.
The move
Tristen Newton leaves the Sacramento Kings roster, confirmed off the official roster on Sunday, Oct. 18. The move was preceded by a Saturday, Oct. 17 report from hoopsrumors that the Kings waived Newton along with Viktor Lakhin and Elfrid Payton. Confidence on that report is not announced. Newton is 25 and has two seasons of NBA experience.
The money
Newton's contract is not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing or departure by a day. The Kings carry a payroll of $191.8 million across 13 contracts for 2026-27. That puts Sacramento over the salary cap of $165.0 million but under the luxury tax line of $200.4 million. The first apron sits at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million, both clear of the club's current payroll.
The fit
Newton played one game last season, logging 12.0 minutes with 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.0 assists. The Kings' backcourt minutes last season went to Zach LaVine (31.4 minutes, 19.2 points), DeMar DeRozan (31.2 minutes, 18.4 points), Russell Westbrook (28.9 minutes, 15.2 points) and Dennis Schroder (26.4 minutes, 12.8 points). Sacramento's roster now stands at 17 players, with the standard limit set at 15 plus three two-way spots.
Why did Tristen Newton leave the Kings roster?
The Kings waived him, according to a Saturday, Oct. 17 report from hoopsrumors, which also listed Viktor Lakhin and Elfrid Payton as waived. No further reason is announced.
Does Tristen Newton have a new contract?
Not on file yet. Public salary data can lag a signing by a day.
What did Newton do for the Kings last season?
He played one game, with 12.0 minutes, 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.0 assists.
How does this affect the Kings' salary situation?
Sacramento's payroll is $191.8 million across 13 contracts for 2026-27, above the $165.0 million cap but below the $200.4 million tax line.