The Sacramento Kings announced Shareef Abdur-Rahim as general manager of the Reno Bighorns, the organization's NBA D-League affiliate.

Abdur-Rahim, who also holds the role of director of player personnel for the Kings, will oversee basketball operations for the Bighorns.

Abdur-Rahim is entering his fourth season in the Kings front office, where he served the previous three as assistant GM after spending the 2009-10 season on the Kings bench as an assistant coach specializing in player development.

Prior to retiring from professional basketball in 2008, Abdul-Rahim amassed career averages of 18.1 points (.472 FG%, .297 3FG%, .810 FT%), 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 830 contests over 12 seasons for four teams (Vancouver 1996-97 to 2000-01, Atlanta 2001-02 to 2003-04, Portland 2003-04 to 2004-05 and Sacramento 2005-06 to 2007-08).

The Sacramento Kings have signed Trent Lockett to a contract.

Lockett went undrafted out of Marquette.

Lockett averaged 7.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season for the Golden Eagles.

The Sacramento Kings have hired AECOM to design their new arena.

AECOM is based in Los Angeles and were the lead architects for Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Time Warner Center in Charlotte, AT&T Center in San Antonio, FedEx Forum in Memphis, Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, as well as putting together the venue master plan for the London 2012 Olympics.

"We have assembled the best artists in the world to design and build the new arena," said Kings owner Vivek Ranadive in a press statement. "AECOM has the résumé to design and create the most technologically advanced and fan-centric arena in the world."

Greivis Vasquez will not participate in FIBA Americas for Venezuela.

Vasquez is recovering from ankle surgery.

"My ankle is much better and Dr (Richard) Ferkel told me that I have his permission to begin training on the pick-and-roll, lateral movements and changes in direction," he said.

"He stressed that I need a gradual recovery to reach my optimum level.

"I would like to play (at the FIBA Americas Championship), it's a desire that I feel in my heart, but at the same time I understand this is the correct decision.

"I am sure that I will be an important player in the future of the national team of Venezuela."

Ben McLemore was drafted seventh overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings after it appeared at some points as though he would be a top-3 selection.

“I feel I come in with a chip on my shoulder,” said McLemore.

“I feel I’ve been through a lot. I feel I am going to work hard to get Rookie of the Year. I know the mindset I’m going to come in and show everybody I could be the alpha dog and win that Rookie of the Year. I’m definitely going to work hard to get that,” McLemore said.

Chris Hansen was revealed on Friday as the mystery donor behind the petition campaign seeking to derail the Kings' proposed new downtown arena by donating $80,000 to a group gathering signatures in Sacramento, according to a source.

Hansen is a Seattle investor who tried to buy the Kings this year.

Initial suspicion for the anti-arena campaign fell on the Maloof family, former owners of the Kings, because the family has long been represented by the law firm that wired the money, Loeb & Loeb.

The Maloofs sold the Kings to a group led by technology executive Vivek Ranadive for $535 million.

By a 7-2 vote, the Sacramento City Council agreed Tuesday night to join the Sacramento Kings in negotiating with the owner of the Macy's furniture and men's clothing store at the Downtown Plaza over the purchase of the soon-to-be vacant property.

The property is needed for the Kings to build a proposed $448 million arena at the mall.

The city's involvement allows them to negotiate under the threat of seizing control through eminent domain.

"By acting today, we'll assure the project stays on schedule," said City Manager John Shirey.

The goal is to open the arena for the 16-17 NBA season.

The Sacramento Kings' ownership has been unable to close on buying the remaining parcel at Downtown Plaza to develop a new arena after months of negotiations.

The Kings are attempting to open a new facility by 2016 and are now seeking assistance from City Hall to threaten eminent domain.

The property houses a Macy's men's clothing and furniture store that was taken control by a New York-based real estate firm in foreclosure.

"Any decision for something like eminent domain wouldn't happen for a long time," said Assistant City Manager John Dangberg.

The Kings plan to partner with the city of Sacramento on constructing a $448 million facility at the site to be surrounded by shops, housing and offices.

DeMarcus Cousins was "very bad" at Team USA workouts last month, according to a report citing sources who were in attendance.

Pete D'Alessandro has supported Cousins this offseason and the Sacramento Kings' new owner, Vivek Ranadivé, made a point of watching Cousins at Team USA workouts.

Cousins is eligible for a contract extension.

Corliss Williamson will be added to the coaching staff of Mike Malone with the Sacramento Kings.

Williamson has been head coach at University of Central Arkansas since 2010.

Williamson was drafted by the Kings in 1995 and played there until 2000. Williamson later returned to the Kings in a deal involving Chris Webber.