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Smart took over for the fired Paul Westphal Jan. 5 and said Cousins has grown up a lot in a month's time. "Everything I'd seen or heard about him I've seen a complete personality shift," Smart said. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Coaching, Keith Smart 

How much will the Sacramento Kings and NBA pay in the effort to construct a new arena in California’s capital city? Although exact figures are yet to be established, a source has shared with Cowbell Kingdom that the city is looking for roughly $80 million from the league and team. Not over time, but in advance. When reached via e-mail for clarification on this figure, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league would not comment at this time. On this week’s Cowbell Kingdom podcast, Think Big Sacramento project manager Jeremiah Jackson shed some light on the commitment the city wants from the NBA and Maloofs. “We’re talking about an upfront lease payment,” said Jackson on Monday. “So it’d essentially be, they’d pay upfront for the rights to be the tenant for that 30-year period.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings 

This means that the price tag of paying in advance to be the arena’s anchor tenant would cost the NBA and Maloofs less than $3 million a year. Where does the $80 million figure come from? According to CK’s source, the city is looking for approximately $130 million in “private financing.” AEG, the stadium operator involved for much of this process, supplied Kansas City with $53 million upfront to build the Sprint Center. CK’s source confirmed that a similar number is being floated for the rights to run a new downtown arena, leaving roughly $80 million for the Kings and NBA. Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Kansas City 

A decision closer than expected. Last night, the Sacramento City Council voted whether to put the arena parking proposal on the June ballot. The measure was denied by just one vote, 5-4. Councilmembers Sandy Sheedy, Darrell Fong, Kevin McCarty and Bonnie Pannell voted in favor. Mayor Kevin Johnson, Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby and councilmembers Rob Fong, Jay Schenirer and Steve Cohn voted against. “In this case, the only way we can possibly do a deal is not to tax people and not to assess people,” said Councilman Cohn during the meeting. “And if we do that (raise taxes), it has to (legally) go to a vote. “So, give us a chance to see whether there’s a deal out there that even makes sense,” Cohn added. “Before you already pronounce judgment that this is a terrible deal.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Kevin Johnson 

Mayor Kevin Johnson expects negotiations on the funding plan for a new downtown Kings arena to intensify, now that 13 firms have expressed interest in leasing the city's parking operations. The mayor told reporters this morning that the city is "on track and in striking distance" of developing a financing plan for the $387 million arena. City officials are hoping to raise as much as $200 million for the project from the leasing of downtown parking garages, spaces and enforcement. With more than a dozen firms expressing interest in those parking assets, the mayor said "it's going to be constant negotiations with (arena operator) AEG, the Kings and the NBA and all the interested parties" as the sides work on a funding plan before a March 1 deadline. If a plan does not materialize before then, the NBA has told the Maloofs - the family that owns the Kings - that they can explore moving the franchise. "With some of the most credible (parking firms) in the country saying they want to participate, that has to give the NBA an additional comfort level and set of assurances and a high degree of confidence that we will be able to deliver on our part," the mayor said. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Kevin Johnson 

Stern said there have been some “very positive” developments in Sacramento’s efforts to retain its franchise, including financing and parking arrangements. But he added the Kings’ future is still a very fluid situation with no predictable outcome. Salt Lake Tribune

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, David Stern 

So where does that leave Jimmer? During Saturday's overtime win over Golden State, it left him on the bench for a second consecutive game and visibly disappointed. On most days, it leaves him trying to figure out how his leadership and shotmaking skills translate to the NBA. "I never sat out an entire game before," he admitted, "not even in high school, unless I was hurt or something. But I'm just trying to be a good teammate. I'll keep working and finding ways to get better." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Jimmer Fredette 

Having been a floor leader throughout his career, he also is learning the nuances of moving without the ball, of understanding angles and how to utilize screens and ball/head fakes that freeze defenders. "We can work on the point guard (skills) this summer," said Smart, "and we want Jimmer to make plays. But when he comes off a pick, he has to take that shot. He needs to become a little selfish." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Jimmer Fredette 

Although the documents don't mention how Seattle would obtain a team, they show the city has been following developments in Sacramento, which is under a March 1 deadline to come up with a viable proposal to build an arena for the Sacramento Kings. In September, Hirsh emailed a copy of an Associated Press story to Raup that outlined the Sacramento situation. If Sacramento fails, the Kings could be playing in Seattle next fall if the city and Hansen reach an agreement, according to a Seattle City Hall source who has been briefed on the matter. Seattle Times

Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics 

Since taking over as head coach, Smart has characterized the Kings as a group of players still trying to become a team. On Friday he said the Kings did a better job against the Trail Blazers of communicating on defense. But the kind of cohesion he wants to see is also to be found away from the court, and it gives some insight into how Smart envisions the Kings improving. "Sometimes I just sit around on the plane and just listen to their chatter and see what they're talking about, and hear what they're talking about," Smart said. "And you can hear things now that they're talking about the game a little bit more, they're talking about what they could do on an opponent coming up, and that's how the team starts to grow. "And then eventually they start going out to eat places together, eating with each other, and having fun and growing right there. And then you have a game like last night, or several games prior to last night, where they were doing so many good things, not getting the win, but then last night everything came together with the win. And now they can say, 'Man, see, we just do this.' Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Coaching, Keith Smart 

Sacramento already has changed coaches, and the annual effort to destabilize the organization from the outside and push team president Geoff Petrie out the door is fully under way. It's a play that's been run before without success, and I'm skeptical of the renewed reports of Petrie's demise in the past week. Petrie, 63, has one year left on his contract after this season, and his future with the organization is more tied to the expiration date on that contract and the uncertain future of the franchise than on any measurement of the team's performance in the confusing prism of the shortened, post-lockout schedule. CBSSports.com

Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie 

In conjunction with that unresolved matter is the issue of how long the Maloofs will be able to maintain ownership. Joe and Gavin Maloof have privately maintained they're fine financially; while they've lost millions on the Kings, their future is secure because their trust fund remains intact. But nobody thought the Maloofs would relinquish majority control of the Palms hotel and casino franchise in Las Vegas, and fewer thought they'd sell the family's original cash cow, the New Mexico beer distributorship they unloaded in 2010. CBSSports.com

Sacramento Kings, Gavin Maloof 

Despite the league's stubborn efforts to keep the team in Sacramento, if a deep-pocketed prospective buyer wanted to take the money-losing basketball business off the Maloofs' hands, it's something the family would have to at least consider. Selling the team is said to be a last resort for the Maloofs, according to NBA front office sources. But as one of those sources said, if the Maloofs were interested in making money, they should've sold the Kings and kept the beer business. So the whole situation -- not just Petrie -- bears watching. CBSSports.com

Sacramento Kings, Gavin Maloof 

Guard Marcus Thornton (left thigh hematoma) said he wants to play Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers, but that the decision will be up to team doctors. Thornton has missed the Kings' last four games. The team announced on Jan. 25 that tests had revealed a significant hematoma in his left thigh, and that Thornton would miss one to two weeks. Thornton participated full-contact during the window of today's practice that was open to media -- a high-energy half-court scrimmage -- and appeared to be moving without much hesitation. Afterward, he said he "felt good out there for the most part." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Injuries, Marcus Thornton 

Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof sat courtside before tipoff against the Warriors at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night and expressed support for his head basketball decision maker and head coach. Maloof said any reports the team is considering replacing basketball president Geoff Petrie are "totally false." "Geoff's always been a part of the family," Maloof said. "We're in a rough stretch, but so what? Things will turn around." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie, Gavin Maloof 

Petrie suggested replacing head coach Paul Westphal with assistant coach Keith Smart on Jan. 5. Smart is 4-10 since taking over, but Maloof said he is impressed with Smart's coaching. "I know sometimes the record doesn't indicate (improvement), but I like the way he's developing our young players," Maloof said. "I like the way he's working with them and helping them learn the science of the game. We're really, really high on Keith Smart." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie, Gavin Maloof 

One reason Westphal was replaced was the lack of development by the Kings' young talent. Under Smart, center DeMarcus Cousins, forward Jason Thompson and guard Tyreke Evans have begun to make strides, while rookies Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas have played pivotal roles. "We love the direction we're going." Maloof said. "I know it's not translating into wins, but eventually it will." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie, Gavin Maloof 

As reported several times in The Bee and on sacbee.com -- most recently in Ailene Voisin's column on Jan. 18 -- Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie's future with the team appears increasingly uncertain. But a report that surfaced Monday night in a fan blog, Sactown Royalty, attributed only to sources - that Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof have considered relieving Petrie of his position and have contacted a management agent - has been denied forcefully by Joe Maloof. "No, this is not true," Maloof texted The Bee. "I had heard about (the rumor). We will be fine. We have had the toughest schedule in the league by far." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Geoff Petrie 

I am asked at least once a day, “What’s new with the arena?” It is a complicated answer. With so many moving parts, all working on parallel timelines, there appears to be something “new” each day. All that really matters is how the financing plan comes together. And so far, it appears the money is starting to fall in line. “We are closer than ever to finding a way to pay for the facility in a way that protects taxpayers, works for all parties and ensures a true public-private partnership,” Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said yesterday during his State of the City address. Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Kevin Johnson 

Several companies are showing interest and a select few will soon begin the request-for-proposal process. Those companies chosen will bid on assuming control of the parking garages and spaces. It seems daunting to get this done just one month before the NBA relocation filing deadline. However, the Maloofs have stated that the March 1st date is “flexible” and it seems NBA Commissioner David Stern is willing to give Sacramento a longer leash after seeing what Johnson and his Think Big Sacramento team have accomplished in just ten months. The mayor has likely earned the city until March of next year before a move is discussed again. (I also believe further studies on Anaheim or other locations will be done now that there is revenue sharing to help small-market cities.) Even with the extra time, Johnson will not go public stating the March 1st deadline is workable. He does not want to give opponents a chance to delay or hinder progress on the project. Expect financing to fall in place sometime in May. The city will have a firm figure on the parking sale, hotels will make up their minds on how much they’ll fork over, Anschutz Entertainment Group will negotiate a price to operate the arena, and the NBA/Kings will come to the table to discuss their contribution. All these pieces need to add up to $406-million or more. Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, David Stern, Kevin Johnson