Garrett Temple’s road to the NBA wasn’t a breeze.
After going undrafted in 2009, the former LSU guard went from playing in the NBA Developmental League to playing for three different teams on 10-day contracts, before signing with the San Antonio Spurs for the remainder of the 2009-10 NBA season.
Of those three teams, one was the Sacramento Kings. Fast forward six years and now his hardwork and dedication is being rewarded with a three-year, $24 million contract with the Kings.
It was Temple’s first time experiencing free agency, and he said he didn’t know what to expect. He talked or had meetings with the Kings, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Atlanta Hawks.
His last four years were spent with the Washington Wizards where, in the 2015 season, he had career highs in points per game, minutes and games started.
He ultimately decided to sign with the Kings, who were one of the first teams to reach out to him and show significant interest.
“It felt great,” Temple said while in an airport headed to Sacramento to sign his contract. “It felt like all the work I put in finally paid off. It definitely humbled me and showed that I’m worth this kind of money.”
One of things that lead the 6-foot-6 guard to sign with the Kings was the opportunity to play for newly hired coach Dave Joerger and be teammates with DeMarcus Cousins, who Temple described as “the most talented” center in the league.
Among some of his goals next season is to not only to win games, but to also help the Kings get back to the playoffs, with their last appearance being in the 2005-06 season.
“I think the moves that we’ve made have put us in position to have a team that’s capable of winning games and making the playoffs.”
Along with Temple, the Kings signed Arron Afflalo, acquired and drafted former Syracuse guard Malachi Richardson, Kentucky forward Skal Labissiere, Greece center George Papagiannis and Oklahoma guard Isaiah Cousins.
At 30 years old, Temple will be one of the older players on the young Kings squad, but he said he has no problem stepping into the “veteran role.”
“I accept that role,” Temple said. “I feel like I’m definitely a leader. I’m a guy that can lead and is willing to lead.”
Temple who was a key piece of the 2006 LSU final four team, is an investor of the recently opened Luxe Nail Bar, a luxury nail salon that offers pedicures, manicures, haircuts and more.
The salon is located at 6401 Bluebonnet Boulevard near the food court entrance of the Mall of Louisiana. Temple said the services the salon will offer with be something Baton Rouge hasn’t seen.
Eventually Temple plans to host a basketball camp in Baton Rouge, with hopes of conducting one as early as August. The Baton Rouge native also talked about the recent violence in not just in his hometown, but also across America.
“The protests are great as long as they’re peaceful,” Temple said. “The only way to stop the problem is for the police force to begin holding the bad cops accountable. They may not be bad people, but they may have just made a mistake. Whatever the reason is, they made a mistake, and you have to hold them accountable for that mistake.”
