Category: Sacramento Kings Blog

The Sacramento Kings today extended the contract of Head Coach Keith Smart for the 2013-14 season, it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“Keith’s extension gives us the stability we need to continue the development of our team,” Petrie said. “He has the commitment, energy and vision necessary to succeed in building a winning team. We are all looking forward to working with him as we pursue an exciting and productive future.”

According to Jason Jone of the Sacramento Bee, “Smart took over as coach after Paul Westphal was fired Jan. 5 amid a feud with center DeMarcus Cousins and other players openly questioned his direction. Even though Smart won over players and improved the team offensively by starting Isaiah Thomas at point guard and moving Tyreke Evans to the wing, the Kings went 20-39 after he was promoted from assistant coach and missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season. Smart has said his focus for this season is to improve one of the NBA’s worst defenses while emphasizing a fast-paced offense that shares the ball.”

Smart was named Sacramento’s head coach on January 5, 2012, becoming the franchise’s 24th head coach. In his first season with the Kings, Smart compiled a 20-39 coaching mark. He has a lifetime record of 65-116 (.359) in three seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2011-12), Golden State Warriors (2010-11), and Cleveland Cavaliers (2002-03).

“I’m excited to continue this process with the Kings,” Smart said. “We’re trying to get our franchise moving in the right direction. The goal is to keep moving in that positive direction, and I’m glad that I get that opportunity. It’s been great working with Geoff and his staff and communicating with the Maloofs in this process.”

Kings coach Keith Smart said as many as four noncontract summer-league players could be considered for invitations to training camp in the fall.

The player who seems most likely to be called back is Tony Mitchell, an athletic small forward who impressed with his athleticism and activity.

“Mitchell kind of separated himself a little bit,” Smart said. “He has the right size as a small forward. Obviously, we have a ton of players at that position that he plays, but nevertheless he’s not a guy you take off your radar because you see the size.

— Reported by the Sacramento Bee

The Sacramento Kings and free agent guard Aaron Brooks today have agreed in principle to a contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re really excited about the prospect of Aaron joining the team,” said Petrie. “The fact that he’s chosen to play for the Kings makes us feel good about what he’ll be able to provide to us on the court. Aaron’s another young player who brings a lot of speed, quickness, experience and scoring ability.”

Brooks, a four-year NBA veteran, led the Guandong Southern Tigers of the China Basketball Association to the Finals while leading the team in points (22.3), assists (4.8) and steals (1.9) per game this past season. Selected by the Houston Rockets in the first round (26th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Brooks has amassed NBA career averages of 12.5 points (.411 FGs, .363 3FGs, .850 FTs), 3.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game in 272 outings with Houston and Phoenix. His best statistical season occurred during the 2009-10 campaign when he averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 assists per game with the Rockets, which resulted in winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. Brooks was traded by Houston to the Suns on February 24, 2011.

A native of Seattle, Brooks enjoyed a four-year career at the University of Oregon, recording career averages of 13.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game in 115 contests.

The Sacramento Kings announced today the team has waived Hassan Whiteside, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Selected by Sacramento with the 33rd overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft as a freshman out of Marshall, the 7-0, 235-pound center averaged 1.5 ppg (.444 FG%, .417 FT%), 2.1 rpg and 0.80 bpg in 19 games with the Kings over two seasons, appearing in just one contest during his rookie year after suffering a left knee injury midway through the 2010-11 campaign.

The Sacramento Kings today signed first-round draft pick Thomas Robinson to a contract, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Sacramento selected Robinson with the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

All players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft are guaranteed to receive a contract. So, this signing was expected, and is standard.

Robinson, the Big 12 Player of the Year and First Team All-American, led the nation in double-doubles (27) and was second in rebounding in 2011-12.

Things had been pretty quiet in terms of free agency until today when the Kings hosted restricted free agent forward Ryan Anderson.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, as promised, began free agency last Saturday by reaching out Jason Thompson’s agent, Leon Rose.

“Our first phone call was to Leon about Jason,” Petrie said. “We talked …and put a proposal in front of him and we’ve made a number of calls on different players. And today we had lunch with Ryan Anderson. We’re continuing to monitor things. Restricted free agency on both sides is a little bit different.”

Anderson and Thompson are both restricted.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (Blog)

The Sacramento Kings today extended a qualifying offer to Jason Thompson, making him a restricted free agent, according to Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

Thompson averaged 9.1 ppg (.535 FG, .602 FT), 6.9 rpg and 1.2 apg through 64 outings with the Kings last season, of which he started 47. He was selected by Sacramento with the 12th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft and is averaging 10.5 ppg (.498 FG, .663 FT), 7.2 rpg, and 1.3 apg over his four-year career.

In accordance with the league’s collective bargaining agreement, in order for a team to retain its right of first refusal with respect to a restricted free agent, the team must tender the player a qualifying offer prior to June 30. A restricted free agent may sign an offer sheet with any team, but is subject to a right of first refusal with the team for which the player last played.

The team’s leading scorer is guard Marcus Thornton, who has three years left on his contract and is due approximately $24 million.

Tyreke Evans was the Rookie of the Year in the 2009-10 season. But heading into his fourth season, the Kings are not expected to offer him a contract extension, though he will be eligible for one this offseason.

John Salmons had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2011-12 before being benched. After that, he started showing flashes of the player the Kings traded for last June.

The Kings also have Francisco Garcia and Travis Outlaw under contract and still could re-sign Terrence Williams.

Even with all the players on the wing, none in the group is an established star and all could be challenged for his spot.

— Reported by Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee