DeMarcus Cousins returned from his indefinite suspension earlier than the team had expected.

Cousins arrived for a Christmas Eve practice.

"When he apologized to the team, two players stood up and said, 'We've heard this bull[bleep] before,'" the source said. "'You're either going to be with us, or you're not. We don't want to hear any more excuses.'"

The Kings have tried to persuade Cousins to enter counseling.

The Brooklyn Nets have waived Josh Childress.

Childress, who signed as a free agent with Brooklyn on September 13, 2012, appeared in 14 games for the Nets, averaging 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game.

Mikhail Prokhorov cut short a heli-skiing vacation in British Columbia to address the Brooklyn Nets' coaching situation.

Prokhorov fired Avery Johnson after a 14-14 start to the season.

“I made my own [analysis],” Prokhorov said. “Really, we have a very talented team. And if we look, we have baskets of talents. But for the time being … we see that we need better results.

“And this says to me there were problems giving maybe a lack of concentration, and maybe a lack of ability to produce a good second half.”

Prokhorov indicated interim coach P.J. Carlesimo will have a chance to lead the Nets out of their current slump but also said he'll be hands-on if the team decides to make another coaching change.

“I will be involved personally,” Prokhorov said. “Very. Trust me.”

Prokhorov could not suppress a grin when asked about Phil Jackson's potential candidacy.

“Now, P.J. [Carlesimo] is the head coach,” Prokhorov said. “And if it becomes necessary, you know [who] the usual suspects are.”

The Toronto Raptors are expected to trade Andrea Bargnani before the end of the 2012-13 season.

One source close to the situation said Friday that Bargnani is "a lock to be moved."

Bargnani has two years and $22 million left on his contract.

Antawn Jamison has fallen out of Mike D'Antoni's rotation in the Los Angeles Lakers' frontcourt.

Jamison hasn't played since Dec. 16 against the 76ers, which was the last game before Pau Gasol returned.

"It doesn't make sense at all," said Jamison. "They're pretty much telling me my services are no longer needed."

Jeff Van Gundy is being considered by the Brooklyn Nets for their head coaching vacancy, according to sources.

Van Gundy is also interested, but he is unlikely to be willing to meet with the Nets while an interim head coach is in place during the season.

The Nets have yet to reach out to Van Gundy.

Van Gundy has never met with an organization that had a coach in place as part of his personal code, and has respect for P.J. Carlesimo's status.

The Nets would have to meet with Van Gundy during the offseason.

The Knicks met with Phil Jackson while Van Gundy was interim head coach of the Knicks.

Van Gundy turned down the Nets before Avery Johnson was hired in 2010.

Deron Williams dismissed reports suggesting he quit on Avery Johnson before his firing.

Williams sat out Johnson's final game as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

“I feel if I would have played better, as a player, that we would have won a lot more games and he would still be here,” Williams said Friday morning. “As far as that’s concerned, I feel responsible.”

Williams and Avery Johnson had a strained relationship from the moment Williams arrived, according to people both inside and outside the organization.

“That’s how things go nowadays," said Williams about the perception that he caused the firing. "As soon as something happens, somebody’s got to take the blame. And I guess that guy is me. I can’t fight everything that’s being said, and I’m not going to try. I know my teammates have my back. Like I said, I wanted to be here with Coach Avery.”

Kelvin Sampson has emerged as a serious candidate to become the next head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, according to sources.

Sampson is an assistant with the Houston Rockets and did an impressive job as interim head coach while Kevin McHale was away on a personal matter with his ailing daughter.

Sampson had a 7-6 record in McHale's absence.

Sampson has been praised for his ability to connect with star players.

The Brooklyn Nets have targeted Phil Jackson as their primary choice to become head coach, according to sources.

Jackson's longtime representative, Todd Musburger, told TNT's David Aldridge on Thursday that his client has "no interest in the Nets' job at this time." 

But a source says that Jackson would entertain an offer from the Nets.

The Nets presumably would have no difficulty in meeting Jackson's salary demands.

Avery Johnson was fired as head coach of the Nets on Thursday.

Phil Jackson has no interest in coaching the Brooklyn Nets.

"Phil has no interest in the Nets job at this time," Jackson's agent, Todd Musburger, said via text.

The Nets fired Avery Johnson Thursday morning.

Jackson is reportedly interested in a management position similar to that of Pat Riley's in Miami, where he could shape the front office and roster.