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Nets, Kings trade talks cool down

Here’s ESPN.com reporting an update on trade talks between the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings, which focused on Deron Williams but also talented athletic young big-man Mason Plumlee:

Nets, Kings trade talks for D-Will cool down

Talks between the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets about a trade involving Nets star Deron Williams have cooled, according to league sources.

Sacramento had recently initiated talks with the Nets, proposing a deal for Williams and second-year forward Mason Plumlee, who was actually the Kings’ main target, sources said.

With Plumlee struggling and clashing a bit with new Nets coach Lionel Hollins over the first month of the season, the Kings were hoping he might be available. To compel the Nets into moving Plumlee, they considered taking on Williams, whose contract and history of injuries has scared off many clubs.

Kings, Nets discussing a Deron Williams trade

Are the Sacramento Kings open to taking on veteran point guard Deron Williams’ hefty contract? Maybe. Though, just because a team discusses the mere possibility of trading for a player, it doesn’t mean they’d really do it. Or that they even want to. Also, Darren Collison stats this season: 15.6 ppg 3.6 rpg 6.1 apg. Deron Williams stats this season: 15.6 ppg 3.1 rpg 6.8 apg. Almost identical, yet worlds apart salary-wise. Here’s Yahoo Sports reporting a Kings-Nets rumor:

The Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings are discussing a deal centered on former All-Star guard Deron Williams, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The Nets have been shopping their high-priced star players, and the Kings have been probing the market for an impact point guard.

No deal is imminent, but the talks are ongoing, sources told Yahoo Sports.

The talks have centered on sending the Nets point guard Darren Collison and forwards Derrick Williams and Jason Thompson as part of a multi-player package for Williams, league sources said.

Sacramento has significant interest with Williams, but a hurdle to a possible deal is the Kings’ desire to have center Mason Plumlee included into the package, league sources said. Brooklyn has considered Plumlee a significant part of its future core.

Sacramento Kings fire coach Michael Malone

The Sacramento Kings announced today that Michael Malone has been relieved of his head coaching duties, according to General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Kings assistant coach Tyrone Corbin will assume head coaching responsibilities.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the franchise moving forward,” said D’Alessandro. “Michael made significant contributions to the organization on many levels and helped foster cultural changes that positively impacted our team. We’re thankful for the commitment he exhibited during his time in Sacramento and wish him and his family the very best in the future.”

In 106 games at the helm, Malone compiled a 39-67 record since taking over as head coach prior the 2013-14 campaign. The Kings enter play Tuesday with an 11-13 mark on the season (fourth in Pacific Division standings).

Kings fire coach Mike Malone

Sacramento Kings fire coach Mike Malone

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting a huge late-night Kings development:

The Kings have fired coach Michael Malone, league sources confirmed Sunday night, and will replace him with assistant coach Tyrone Corbin.

After starting the season 5-1, the Kings are 11-13 and have lost three in a row and eight of their last 10.

Star center DeMarcus Cousins has missed the last nine games because of viral meningitis. The Kings are 2-7 without him.

Malone, who went 39-67, was hired before the 2013-14 season after a group led by Vivek Ranadive purchased the franchise and vowed to keep it in Sacramento.

Malone was hired before Pete D’Alessandro came aboard as general manager. Ranadive declared Malone was the best assistant coach on the market and he had to hire him before another team did.

DeMarcus Cousins diagnosed with viral meningitis

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been diagnosed with viral meningitis, according to team physicians with Kaiser Permanente Sacramento.

Cousins’ symptoms are stable and a full recovery is expected, however the Kings medical staff recommends further rest before demands of an NBA schedule can be tolerated. He will continue to be monitored daily, with basketball-related activities expected to resume when his health allows.

Cousins is not expected to be in uniform for this week’s contests. Further updates on his playing status will be issued when they become available.

DeMarcus Cousins remains out with viral infection

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins underwent additional evaluation on Tuesday evening as he continues to recover from a viral infection.

Team physicians, led by Dr. Jason Brayley of Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, admitted DeMarcus to the hospital for treatment and rest. His condition is improving daily and a full recovery is anticipated.

Cousins will not be in uniform this weekend, with a return to competition expected by next week.

Sacramento Kings game protest results: Denied

Sacramento Kings game protest results: Denied

The National Basketball Association announced today that Commissioner Adam Silver has denied the Sacramento Kings’ protest of their 111-110 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on November 13, 2014.

The basis for the Kings’ protest was that Courtney Lee’s game-winning shot should have been disqualified as having been made after time expired. Under league procedures, each team has an opportunity to make submissions in support of its position, and the protesting team is required to establish a misapplication of the official playing rules that had a clear impact on the game’s outcome.

The Commissioner determined that the game officials’ call that Lee’s shot was timely was within their judgment and not a misapplication of the playing rules. Sacramento’s protest therefore did not justify the extraordinary remedy of overturning the game’s result.

Kings recall Eric Moreland from D-League again

The Sacramento Kings have recalled rookie forward Eric Moreland from the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Moreland was assigned to the Bighorns on November 21 for the second time this season and scored 10 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 FT) and grabbed six rebounds in a 154-143 loss to the Bakersfield Jam on Friday, Nov. 21.

The 6-10, 218-pound forward from Oregon State is averaging 13.3 points (.581 FG%), 10.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in three games for the Reno Bighorns.

Lou Williams, DeMarcus Cousins named Players of Week through Nov. 23

Toronto Raptors guard Lou Williams and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Nov. 17, through Sunday, Nov. 23.

Williams helped the Raptors to a 3-0 week, finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference with 23.7 ppg and ninth with 2.0 spg. He scored a career-high 36 points and matched his career high with 15 free-throws made, becoming the first player in team history to come off the bench to shoot 15-for-15 from the line, in a 110-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 22. He connected 10 of his 19 attempts from three-point range. Williams has sparked the Raptors to their best start in franchise history and an Eastern Conference-best 11-2 record.

Cousins led the Kings to a 2-1 week and paced the league in rebounding (16.3). He averaged 25.7 points (second in the league) on .577 shooting (30-for-52) and tallied five blocks. On Nov. 22, he recorded his sixth consecutive double-double with 31 points and 18 rebounds, matching his season high, in a 113-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Denver’s Ty Lawson, Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, Miami’s Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers, Memphis’ Marc Gasol, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic and Phoenix’s Markieff Morris.

Kings assign Eric Moreland to D-League

The Sacramento Kings have assigned rookie forward Eric Moreland to the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Moreland has not seen action in the 12 regular season games with the Kings. The undrafted rookie from Oregon State totaled four points (2-4 FG), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 20 minutes in three games off the bench in the preseason for the Kings.

The 6-10, 218-pound forward has totaled 30 points (.619 FG%, 13-21 FG, 4-10 FT), 26 rebounds, three assists, five steals and one block in 58 minutes in two games for the Reno Bighorns this season.