Pacers sign 2022 G League MVP Trevelin Queen to a two-way deal
Queen won a G League championship with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers last season and was named Finals MVP. After being in camp with the 76ers, he was waived on Sunday.
The Pacers filled their one remaining two-way slot on Tuesday by signing 6-foot-6 guard Trevelin Queen.
The Baltimore native joined the Philadelphia 76ers for summer league and then training camp, but was waived on Sunday. It was a numbers game and the 76ers parted ways with him earlier so he could be available for opportunities like this one.
Two days later, Queen was inside the Pacers’ facility to sign a two-way contract. He will wear No. 8, which was worn the last three seasons by Justin Holiday.
“He’s a dynamic scorer,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s a bucket getter, to be perfectly straight about it. This is an opportunity for us to get a young kid that’s talented, who has been in some different situations — quite a few — in a pretty short period of time. We’re as aware of his situation as we can be and we want to create a great opportunity for him here with a two-way.”
Queen went undrafted in 2020, then spent time with the Houston Rockets and their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He appeared in just 10 NBA games last season. But in the G League, he averaged 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.2 steals in 19 games with the Vipers.
He was voted 2022 G League MVP for the regular season, then Finals MVP as he helped the Vipers to the G League championship. He was also voted to the G League Defensive Team.
Queen then parlayed that special season into a contract with the 76ers.
He has the threat of a deep ball, though he shot 33.5% from range last season. He also has a knack for steals, but needs to improve on handling his defensive matchup. The Pacers’ primary focus in training camp has been on the defensive end and each player guarding their yard.
The Pacers are loaded at guard, but he could grow into an expanded role and potentially help in the short-term since Aaron Nesmith is currently sidelined with a heel injury. Nesmith, a 2020 lottery pick, didn’t have much of an opportunity the past two seasons in Boston.
Queen, 25, has an inspirational story — click here to read more — once homeless and now earning a role in the NBA after one year each at community college and junior college, then two years at New Mexico State University.
He did suffer a concussion in the 76ers’ first preseason game so that’s something to monitor. That was on Oct. 3 in Brooklyn.
The Pacers now have 19 players under contract, including 14 with fully guaranteed contracts for this season and two two-way contracts. Oshae Brissett, James Johnson, Langston Galloway and Deividas Sirvydis are on non-guaranteed deals.
Having the two-way designation, Queen is expected to spend time with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants as well.
In addition to two-way guys Brown and Queen, the Mad Ants’ roster includes Sirvydis, Justin Anderson, Norvel Pelle, Bennie Boatwright, Gabe York and David Stockton.
Watch highlights of Queen below: