Category: Sacramento Kings Blog

The Sacramento Kings today exercised the 2013-14 contract options of center DeMarcus Cousins and guard Jimmer Fredette, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re looking forward to seeing DeMarcus and Jimmer play this year and continue to grow, improve and help this team be successful,” said Petrie.

Cousins, who is currently in his third NBA season, averaged 18.1 points (.448 FGs, .143 3FGs, .702 FTs), a team-high 11.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game last year through 64 outings, of which he started 62. He has amassed career averages of 15.9 points (.439 FGs, .156 3FGs, .694 FTs), 9.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game over 145 contests, of which he started 124 in two seasons. Cousins was selected by the Kings as an undergraduate out of Kentucky with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and was named to the 2010-11 NBA All-Rookie Team.

Fredette, who is currently in his second NBA season, finished his rookie campaign averaging 7.6 points (.386 FGs, .361 3FGs, .833 FTs), 1.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game through 61 outings, of which he started seven. He was selected by Sacramento as a senior out of BYU with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The Sacramento Kings and Sleep Train Mattress Centers today announced a new, multi-year strategic marketing partnership to include venue naming rights for the Sacramento Kings home arena, host to hundreds of events annually—headlined by NBA basketball, high-profile concerts, family-themed shows and cultural experiences.

“On behalf of the entire Sacramento Kings organization, we are thrilled to partner with Sleep Train,” said Kings President of Business Operations Matina Kolokotronis. “We’re particularly excited to align with a locally owned company built on 27 years of customer satisfaction, a stellar reputation among consumers and business leaders, and an unwavering commitment to community involvement.”

Employee-owned, Sleep Train is the number one mattress retailer on the West Coast, known for offering superior service and the best selection of brand name mattresses at unbeatable prices. Founded in Sacramento by Northern California native Dale Carlsen, Sleep Train is routinely ranked as the top mattress retailer on the West Coast.

“We are pleased to partner with the Sacramento Kings,” said Carlsen, founder and CEO of Sleep Train. “Our team of employee-owners is committed to playing a vital role in the communities we serve. This sponsorship aligns with our interest in keeping a vibrant atmosphere of music, sports and entertainment in our region, and allows us to broaden the reach of our Foster Kids program through greater awareness and donation events.”

From the day it opened its first store in 1985, Sleep Train has been dedicated to supporting the community. Today the company sponsors various music venues on the West Coast and its award-winning Sleep Train Foster Kids program is a renowned example of corporate philanthropy, providing essential material items like clothes, shoes, school supplies, pajamas and gifts during the holidays to the area’s 60,000 foster children.

The alliance will continue to emphasize each organization’s belief in charitable outreach—collaborating on numerous programs aimed towards improving the lives of those less fortunate throughout the Sacramento region. For Sleep Train, this partnership will create new opportunities for the company to collect important donations as well as allow area foster children to attend Kings games.

Opened in 1988, the soon-to-be-named Sleep Train Arena will host more than 200 events and serve nearly two million guests annually. Press coverage includes the Sacramento region, as well as nationally and internationally-based media outlets.

The venue officially becomes Sleep Train Arena in November. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

The Sacramento Kings requested waivers on center Cyril Awere, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. The Kings’ updated preseason roster now stands at 17 players.

The 6-11, 268-pound center from Nigeria did not play in the Kings’ lone preseason game.

Lots of players signed for NBA training camps or preseason were not signed to regular season deals, and will be released in the coming weeks.

Evans shot 60 percent (295 of 492) within five feet of the rim last season and 27.7 percent (113 of 408) from beyond. He won the 2010 Rookie of the Year award based on his driving ability.

It looked too easy. Then injuries and collapsing defenses dared Evans to rely on an unreliable jump shot.

“People just started looking at film and started trying to keep me from going to the basket,” he said. “This year, I’m going to have to go to the pull-up (jump shot). I’m still going to go in there, no matter what, but I want to go to the pull-up too.”

Smart believes Evans’ work isn’t motivated by the prospect of a new contract. The deadline for Evans to receive an extension is Oct. 31. The coach says Evans is simply growing up.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee

It was a simple game of 4-on-4 in his second day of practice.

But it only took a few seconds for Thomas Robinson to show why the Kings are so happy to have him.

There was a missed shot and a rebound to be had, and the rookie from Kansas made sure no one else would grab the basketball.

Robinson sprinted toward the basket and snatched the ball off the rim for a powerful dunk.

Hustle, athleticism and enthusiasm all in one fell swoop.

The Kings have needed someone to play like that for a while.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee

They’ve alienated elected officials, many of their fans and some of their sponsors. Yet the Sacramento Kings remain a powerful brand in this community – and a compelling draw for corporations and advertisers.

The team today will announce a partial lineup of corporate partners for 2012-13, including new sponsors Nokia Siemens and Wal-Mart, and a returning former sponsor, Verizon Wireless. For Nokia Siemens, the deal is the first with a professional American sports team, Kings officials said.

The list represents “more sponsorship commitments than at any point during the Kings’ 27-year tenure in Northern California,” the team said.

— Reported by the Sacramento Bee

While watching the Basketball Hall of Fame inductions Friday in Springfield, Mass., I couldn’t help but wonder how much better off the Kings would have been if Don Nelson had been approached about the coaching vacancy after Rick Adelman was released at the end of the 2005-06 season.

In the ensuing six seasons – none of which included a winning record – Geoff Petrie hired Eric Musselman, Reggie Theus, Kenny Natt, Paul Westphal and Keith Smart.

Nelson, who was retired and living in Maui at the time, left a private voice mail message for Petrie expressing his interest in the opening, but he never received a return call.

— Reported by Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee

Power Balance Pavilion could get renamed yet again – and Sleep Train is one of the candidates.

Sleep Train Mattress Centers said Tuesday it’s negotiating with the Sacramento Kings for naming rights to the team’s arena. The Rocklin-based retailer is one of several companies talking to the Kings about naming rights.

Kings co-owner Joe Maloof confirmed the team is in negotiations for a replacement for Power Balance. He said the Kings’ marketing staff is handling the talks and he had no information about which companies are in the running. The team declined to comment further.

The Kings began looking for a new naming-rights partner after their year-old deal with Power Balance was cut short abruptly. The sports-wristband company left the team high and dry after filing for bankruptcy protection last fall. Power Balance paid the Kings just $700,000 before cutting off payments, according to court records.

— Reported by Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee