When someone asks, “Who did the Kings receive in a trade along with a cap exception for Isaiah Thomas?” The answer is Alex Oriakhi.
If Oriakhi has his way, he’ll be more than a namedrop on trivia night.
“It’s West African,” Oriakhi explained to Cowbell Kingdom of his surname. “ My family is from Nigeria. It means that they will remember me.”
The 57th pick of the 2013 draft by the Phoenix Suns was viewed as a throw-in on the July 12, 2014 exchange. Thomas was as good as gone from Sacramento after he signed a four-year, $27 million restricted offer sheet, so the Kings valued anything in return.
The trade exception was never used, but Oriakhi can still bring something to Sacramento. In fact, he already has.
When Oriakhi joined the Kings, the team was already midway through last year’s Summer League. The big man started Sacramento’s last four games, which included a championship victory.
“I’m more comfortable (this year) because last year I didn’t go through the mini-camp,” Oriakhi reflected a week ago. “I was literally on the plane and got the call from one of the GMs who said my rights had been traded. So I come on the team, I knew Ray (McCallum) and Ben (McLemore) but other than that, I don’t really know anybody. I had to download the plays onto my iPad, so I’m studying the plays like I have a test tomorrow. It was very difficult to transition.”
While Oriakhi has since adjusted, his opportunities for playing time have dwindled. The Kings are focused on developing frontcourt defenders Willie Cauley-Stein and Eric Moreland and stretch bigs David Wear and Duje Dukan.
Oriakhi didn’t make his 2015 Las Vegas debut until Monday’s game 3, when he logged 16 minutes and recorded four points and seven rebounds.
Kings Summer League games resume on Wednesday, so Oriakhi will have at least two more chances to establish himself. Having played in France, Israel, Lithuana and for two D-League teams since he was drafted, the Connecticut and Missouri collegian has been exposed to varying philosophies and has confidence the dribble drive offense will let him shine.
“I think it’s very fast,” Oriakhi spoke of the system. “I like how the (coaches) like the guards to penetrate and throw it up to the big man. They’re teaching us to move without the ball, which I think it something that’s new for all of us. But for the most part, they want the big man to crash the glass and that’s what I enjoy doing.”
Oriakhi has his eyes set on being the Kings’ fourth big behind DeMarcus Cousins, Kosta Koufos and Willie Cauley-Stein. The 6-foot-9, 255-pounder does his best work bulldozing in the key and has recently added a 15-foot jumper. He sees himself filling a Reggie Evans-type role.
“To me, I think rebounding is something people don’t look for enough,” Oriakhi said. “I look at guys like Kenneth Faried, and those are guys who make their money because they rebound and hustle. That’s the guy I’m trying to be, just being an energy guy.”
“I’m not a guy you really have to run plays for, I’m not a guy that really asks for the ball,” he added. “I’m a guy that’s just going to rebound and I love to defend. So I think guys like that can really play anywhere. I’m definitely trying to take that spot.”
The 25-year-old faces an uphill climb for a training camp invite. Oriakhi’s legacy may be on the line.
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