DeMarcus Cousins spoke to reporters on the eve of his first game against the Sacramento Kings. Cousins spent the first 6.5 years of his career with the Kings.

"It's just another chance to come out, play hard and try to get a win," Cousins said.

Cousins was traded on the night of the All-Star Game.

"I enjoyed my time there," Cousins said. "I developed a lot of relationships. It'll be good to see the guys again. I haven't seen them since before the (All-Star) break. It'll be a good chance to see those guys and laugh a little bit.

"But seriously, it's another chance for us to come out and get better. That's how I'm approaching the game."

The Pelicans have won seven of their last 10 games.

"I'm not trying to make it personal or anything like that," Cousins said. "I was joking when I said it but I'm really serious, my only focus is to go in and get a win. This is just another opportunity for us to go in and get better...To come in and try to make it about me, that would be a selfish move on my end."

The Sacramento Kings issued a statement refuting a report that they have interest in hiring an executive to oversee basketball operations above Vlade Divac.

Sam Hinkie was mentioned as a target of interest for the Kings.

“The Kings are not hiring Sam Hinkie and have no plans to bring anyone in above Vlade,” the team said.

Divac has said he is in charge of all basketball decisions, but that doesn’t preclude Vivek Ranadive from hiring someone to be Divac’s boss, just like Divac was to oversee Pete D’Alessandro.

Ken Catanella was hired as assistant general manager last offseason.

The Sacramento Kings have received permission from the Philadelphia 76ers to speak to Sam Hinkie about a role in their front office.

It is not yet known what type of role the Kings are considering for Hinkie nor his level of interest.

Hinkie stepped down as general manager of the 76ers last April.

Matt Barnes will have his first opportunity to play the Sacramento Kings since he was released by the team in February. Barnes and the Golden State Warriors host the Kings on Friday.

“I’m trying to kill them,” said Barnes. “Plain and simple. Things didn’t go well there.”

Barnes signed a two-year deal in the offseason to return to his hometown.

“It was frustrating because being back home and really taking pride in trying to put that team back on the map, and then just in a day’s time you’re no longer a part of the organization,” Barnes told the Sacramento Bee. “It was kind of a rude awakening.”

Barnes is averaging 5.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in 11 games with his new team.

“They’re the enemy now,” Barnes said of the Kings. “We’re trying to kill them, beat them by 50.”

The Sacramento Kings would have likely hired Patrick Ewing as head coach if Dave Joerger didn't become available.

Ewing is currently associate head coach of the Charlotte Hornets and has long sought a head coaching job in the NBA.

With Georgetown firing John Thompson III, there has been speculation Ewing could have interest in the job. Ewing has so far been committed to the NBA.

Ewing's son had been on Thompson's staff and he's remained close and loyal to the Thompson family.

The Sacramento Kings waived Matt Barnes to create a roster spot following the DeMarcus Cousins trade despite owning a $6.4 million option for 17-18.

Barnes was a veteran presence to help the Kings push for the playoffs with DeMarcus Cousins.

“They were so adamant in not trading DeMarcus, so once they traded him, my mind-set is they’re starting over and my mind-set is also I’m too old to start over,” Barnes said. “So Vlade [Divac, the Kings’ general manager] had that understanding and the next day we spoke and it was a mutual, ‘Hey, I understand it’s a business and I want to win.’ And he understood that. So from there guys started calling me.”

Barnes received interest from the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. Barnes signed with the Warriors following the injury to Kevin Durant.

“So, it was a waiting game,” Barnes said. “I just stayed ready, working out in LA, hanging with my kids. I got a call when I was at their [basketball] practice and then coach [Steve] Kerr called me at about 10 o’clock that night and I was on a plane to Chicago the next day.”

Rudy Gay informed the Sacramento Kings before the start of the season he intended to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent. Gay holds a $14.3 million player option for the 17-18 season.

Gay said those plans could change due to his Achilles injury. Gay will make his decision after an evaluation of his health and his agent's assessment of the market.

“I’m looking at where I feel most comfortable, where I can showcase my talents and win,” Gay said. “Wherever I think I can do that at, that’s the best place for me.”

Gay has been rehabbing three days a week in Miami.

“It’s tough,” Gay said of the workouts, which include strength, range of motion and weight training. “Basically, I’m becoming more aware of my body; I’m understanding things a little better. I’m taking this time to understand my body and not just get back with my foot but the rest of my body, also. It’s given me time to become a better athlete.”

Gay, who had previous Achilles’ issues, said he immediately feared the injury was serious when he went down while driving toward the rim.

“It was just one of those situations where there’s only so much you can do in a situation like that,” Gay said. “I already knew what happened. I was just thinking maybe it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was.”

As part of his probation, Ty Lawson tested positive alcohol three times over the past seven months.

Lawson is on probation due to his 2015 drunk driving case in Denver.

Lawson had positives tests on Sept. 27, Sept. 29 and Feb. 7.

During media day on Sept. 26, Lawson told the media he vowed to move forward from his past issues.

Lawson is on a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings.

Magic Johnson fielded a call from Vlade Divac about the Los Angeles Lakers potential interest in trading for DeMarcus Cousins when the Sacramento Kings were looking to deal him.

Johnson said he wasn't empowered to make that type of decision and referred Divac to Mitch Kupchak. Johnson never heard another word from the Lakers' front office even when they engaged in trade talks with the Kings on Sunday, February 19th before Cousins was dealt.

Divac believed he had a narrow window to trade Cousins and had to act quickly. Kings' ownership had given approval for a Cousins' trade involving Buddy Hield and Brandon Ingram.

Divac and the New Orleans Pelicans had met four or five times in person by the time the Lakers got involved. Divac was negotiating over the phone with Jim Buss and Kupchak despite the fact Johnson was in New Orleans that weekend.

Jeanie Buss had previously instructed Kupchak and her brother that she was to be consulted if they discussed trades involving any of the Lakers' three recent lottery picks. 

Jeanie Buss only received work about the talks which involved two of those three lottery picks after Jim Buss called Jess Buss and pressed him for a recommendation. The offer also would quickly expire. Jesse Buss tried to text Jeanie Buss, but the deadline was fast approaching and the Kings finalized the Cousins' deal with the Pelicans before her and Johnson even knew about the Lakers' attempts.

The lack of communication on the Cousins trade reinforced why she had already made her decision to fire Kupchak and Jim Buss.

Bogdan Bogdanovic released a statement commenting about his future with Fenerbahce in light of a report that the Sacramento Kings planned to sign him for the 17-18 season.

"I wanted to comment on a recent media report regarding me and the Sacramento Kings as I am receiving many questions from fans about my future," wrote Bogdanovic. "It is humbling and an honor for Vlade Divac to speak highly of me as a basketball player. He is a Serbian basketball legend.

"To be clear though, I will not discuss the NBA or make a decision on my future until after my season with Fenerbahce is finished. I always live in the present day and love playing for Fenerbahce. I am only focused on doing everything I can to help Fenerbahce achieve the goals we set together as a team."

Bogdanovic is on an existing contract signed with the Fenerbahce for the 17-18 season. The deal contains a buyout worth more than $1 million. 

The Kings own the draft rights to Bogdanovic and Vlade Divac recently said the team expects to bring him over to the NBA for the 17-18 season.