NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2019-20

After maximizing his first chance at regular starter’s minutes with the Atlanta Hawks, veteran Dewayne Dedmon got his first big contract, a three-year, $40 million deal from the Sacramento Kings that is non-guaranteed for the final season in 2021-22.

Heady stuff for a former undrafted free agent who played on three 10-day contracts as a rookie in 2013-14.

Dedmon takes the starting mantle from Willie Cauley-Stein, who signed with the Golden State Warriors, in Sacramento, part of a crowded group at the 5 that includes fellow free agent Richaun Holes and youngsters Harry Giles and Caleb Swanigan (for now).

Limited to 64 games and 52 starts last season with a recurring left ankle injury and sore knees, Dedmon averaged a career-best 10.8 points, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game last season to go with 7.5 rebounds in 25,1 minutes a night (also a career-high).

He continued to stretch his range, hitting 38.2 percent on 3.4 3-point attempts per game and making 49.2 percent overall. He’s also made major strides as a foul shooter, hitting 81.4 percent last season.

Dedmon’s game has completely transformed from his time with the Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs, where he camped in the low block looking for lobs and offensive rebounds.

In his lone year with the Spurs, he took 72.2 percent of his attempts from the restricted area. Last season that number was 35.0 percent, with 41.3 percent of his attempts coming from behind the arc.

That’s an element the Kings didn’t have with Cauley Stein and with former Warriors assistant Luke Walton taking over the coaching duties, expect Dedmon to remain in a stretch capacity.