Donte Greene will be a restricted free agent this summer, meaning he is running out of games to prove his worth to the Kings.

Greene wants to keep things simple during those final 18 games.

"Just play, really," he said. "Go out and work hard before the games or in practice time and just try to be ready. It's a contract year for me; it's a big last (18) games of the season so (I'll) just try to work hard."

Greene has shown flashes of becoming a key contributor, but the Kings want him to find more consistency.

"I shared with him that 'You've got to get to the point, with your size, (playoff) contenders are knocking down our door saying give us this guy; that's where your game has to grow to,' " Keith Smart said.

Greene has improved defensively this season, an area of his game that can help prolong his NBA career.

"Donté is an underrated defender in this league," said Chuck Hayes. "And it's unfortunate he's not been able to get the credibility he deserves. And to be honest, I didn't know he was this good of a defender when I was in Houston. Being his teammate, this guy really knows his opponent."