Sacramento Kings Blog – Page 25 – NBA Blog

DeMarcus Cousins scores 55 points, gets un-ejected in wild game

Following a tumultuous day for Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, he scores a season-high 55 points to help his team defeat Portland 126-121. The game was not without drama, however, and a late technical foul call on Cousins that was overturned.

Ty Lawson, Aaron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver combine for 38 points off the bench in the Kings’ win over the Trail Blazers.

The Kings fined DeMarcus Cousins $50,000 on Tuesday, but overall, they’re almost shameless apologists for their All-Star center’s poor behavior.

— Sacramento Bee

Quick Take: I think Cousins has always felt that some people were out to get him. He’s had that chip on his shoulder throughout his NBA career. What that stems from might require a psychologist (not saying that as an insult). In some cases, like bad techs, it’s understandable. But in other cases it’s mostly on him.

Kings at Sixers game postponed

The Sixers’ game against the Kings at the Wells Fargo Center has been postponed because of moisture on the court. There was no immediate word on a rescheduled date for the game.

Arena staff members tried using wet mops to fix the issue to no avail.

“The Philadelphia 76ers announced that tonight’s game against the Sacramento Kings has been postponed due to an issue with the surface of the court and with player safety in mind,” the team said in a statement. “Arena officials worked diligently to address the issue, but NBA officials determined that the court was not suitable for play.”

— CSN Philly

Quick Take: The InsideHoops Twitter account decided to get silly as the game started to be in doubt and tweeted “Trust the mopcess.” Unfortunately, the mops were unable to do the job. The best reaction after the non-game was from Sixers center Joel Embiid, who tweeted the following: Well The court was tanking tonight…. #TrustTheProcess

Kings to change frontcourt lineup

Sometimes, a coach doesn’t need advanced statistics or analytics to make a decision.

The only numbers Dave Joerger needs to see change are 4-9, the Kings’ record, including four straight losses.

Joerger plans to scrap the big lineup that has opened games most of the season, with DeMarcus Cousins and Kosta Koufos in the frontcourt. Cousins will play center, and Joerger will try to figure out which lineup works best around Cousins for Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.

“That hasn’t been working,” Joerger said of playing big. “That’s not working so it’s not about being big or small.”

— Sacramento Bee

InsideHoops.com Quick Take: Offensively, barely anybody in the league can guard Cousins. That’s really not an exaggeration. Defensively, including just general court awareness, Cousins needs improvement. As for the Kings in general, their offense is decent but their defense has been miserable so far this season.

Kings assign Skal Labissiere, Malachi Richardson and Georgios Papagiannis to D-League

The Sacramento Kings have assigned center Georgios Papagiannis, forward Skal Labissiere and guard Malachi Richardson to the Reno Bighorns of the D-League.

Papagiannis was selected in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft after four seasons with Panathinaikos and Peristeri of the Greek League (2011-12 – 2012-13 and 2014-15 – 2015-16). He has appeared in one game for Sacramento during his rookie campaign, totaling two points and one rebound. The 7-1 center averaged 6.4 points (.678 FG%, .667 FT%) and 2.6 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per game in 21 contests last season in Greece.

The 28th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, Labissiere has appeared in one game this season, logging eight points (3-5 FG) and three rebounds in 15 minutes of action at Milwaukee (11/5). He averaged 6.6 points (.516 FG%, .661 FT%), 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 36 games for Kentucky in 2015-16.

On July 7, Sacramento acquired Richardson’s draft rights from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for forward Marco Belinelli. The 6-6 guard has logged eight minutes in two contests this season. He averaged 13.4 points (.369 FG%, .353 3pt%, .720 FT%), 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 34.4 minutes per game in starting all 37 games in which he played in as a freshman at Syracuse in 2015-16.

Kings waive Jordan Farmar

The Sacramento Kings waived guard Jordan Farmar today.

According to CSN Bay Area, Farmar was waived “to make room for the returning Darren Collison. Sacramento was granted a short reprieve with their roster when Collison was shifted to the league’s suspension list after his fifth missed game, allowing the team to ink Farmar to a deal for depth.”

In two games played with the Kings this season, Farmar averaged 6.0 points (.333 FG%, 4-9 3pt), 1.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists, including 9 points (3-8 3pt), two rebounds and a team-high seven assists against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 5. A 10-year NBA veteran, Farmar has tallied career averages of 7.7 points (.423 FG%, .374 3pt%, .739 FT%), 1.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 19.5 minutes per game in 504 contests.

Kings sign Jordan Farmar

The Sacramento Kings today signed free agent guard Jordan Farmar, according to Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac.

Farmar averaged 6.5 points (.471 FG%, 5-11 3pt, .833 FT%), 1.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in four preseason contests with Sacramento, including 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-5 3pt), one rebound and five assists against the L.A. Lakers on Oct. 13. A 10-year NBA veteran, Farmar has tallied career averages of 7.7 points (.423 FG%, .374 3pt%, .739 FT%), 1.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 19.5 minutes per game in 502 contests.

Kings waive Jordan Farmar and Isaiah Cousins

The Sacramento Kings today waived guards Jordan Farmar and Isaiah Cousins, according to Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac.

Selected by Sacramento out of Oklahoma in the second round (59th overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft, Cousins appeared in two exhibition contests for the Kings, totaling 12 minutes. The 6-5 guard averaged 9.7 points (.408 FG%, .407 3pt%, .711 FT%), 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 27.7 minutes per game over 137 career contests in four seasons with the Sooners (2012-13 – 2015-16).

Kings exercise contract option on Willie Cauley-Stein

The Sacramento Kings announced today the team has exercised its third-year option on center Willie Cauley-Stein, according to Kings Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac.

This was an expected move. Cauley-Stein is one of the team’s main young building blocks.

Cauley-Stein is entering his second season with the Kings after being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. An All-Rookie Second Team honoree last season, Cauley-Stein registered 7.0 points (.563 FG%, .648 FT%), 5.3 rebounds and 1.00 blocks in 21.4 minutes per contest over 66 games played (started 39) in 2015-16.

Sacramento Kings buy Reno Bighorns

The NBA Development League and the Sacramento Kings today announced that the team has acquired a controlling interest in the NBA D-League’s Reno Bighorns. With the purchase, the Kings become the 15th NBA team to own and operate its NBA D-League affiliate.

“With today’s purchase, half of NBA teams now own and operate their NBA D-League affiliate – an important milestone that proves how essential developing top young NBA talent has become,” said NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner. “I’m thrilled to welcome Vivek Ranadivé and the Sacramento Kings’ ownership group to the NBA D-League family and want to thank Herb Santos for his integral role in Bighorns basketball.”

Longstanding partners, the Bighorns and Kings have been affiliated since the 2008-09 season, Reno’s inaugural NBA D-League campaign. Prior to the 2013-14 season, the teams entered into a single-affiliation partnership, with the NBA franchise managing basketball operations for the NBA D-League club. With today’s purchase, the Kings will now assume all business operations of the Bighorns.

“We’re excited to deepen our relationship with the Bighorns and the Reno/Tahoe community,” said Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “This is an incredible opportunity to develop players, front-office staff and future business executives for the Sacramento Kings, while simultaneously contributing meaningfully to the Reno entertainment, commercial and non-profit ecosystem.”

Five current Kings have NBA D-League experience. Additionally, head coach Dave Joerger and assistant coaches Bryan Gates and Duane Ticknor all made the jump to the NBA coaching ranks following stints on NBA D-League benches.

Since the team’s inception, more than 10 Bighorns have earned GATORADE Call-Ups to the NBA, including San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green. Additionally, 16 NBA players have spent time on assignment in Reno, including current NBA players Jeremy Lin and Hassan Whiteside.

“It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to grow basketball and provide family-friendly entertainment in the Reno community over the past five years,” said Bighorns minority owner Herb Santos. “I cannot thank everyone enough for the years of support and look forward to continuing to cheer for the Bighorns alongside each of you.”

On Nov. 2, the Kings will join the Bighorns for a Celebration Day featuring Kings talent in order to give fans in Reno an opportunity to connect directly with the Sacramento organization. Those interested in purchasing a season-ticket membership can sign up on the priority list at RenoBighorns.com/membership or by calling 888-91-KINGS to have first shot at securing seats before they go on sale to the public on Nov. 2.

Launched in 2001, the NBA D-League has expanded from an eight-team league to a record 22 teams for the 2016-17 season, all of which will be singly affiliated with an NBA parent club. The NBA D-League will tip off its 16th season on Nov. 11.

Rudy Gay still a King, for now

Kings forward Rudy Gay is entering the 11th year of his career. Time has flown. He turned 30 in August. The time to win is now, or at least pretty soon. Sacramento probably aren’t the place where that’s going to happen, and it’s likely that Gay will have a new home, either via trade sometime this season or via free agency in the summer of 2017. Here’s the Sacramento Bee with the latest:

Gay will opt out of his contract after this season and become an unrestricted free agent, fueling speculation the Kings will trade the forward to avoid losing him with no compensation.

“I made the decision to opt out,” Gay said Monday during the team’s media day. “Whether I sign here, whether I’m here the rest of the season or whether I start here, it’s really not up to me. Wherever I am, I’m going play to the best of my ability.” …

“I’m pain-free,” Gay said. “I’m in the best shape of my life, I’d like to say, and I’m focused. No matter what, I come here to play with my brothers, and that’s everybody in that locker room, and we’re playing to win.”