The Dave Joerger-era with the Sacramento Kings got underway with a 113-94 win at the Phoenix Suns.

Joerger replaced George Karl, who had a tenuous relationship with DeMarcus Cousins.

“I like him and he likes me,” Cousins said of Joerger.

“Joerger’s been great,” Cousins said. “I think what he brought to the team is what this team needed. It fits our identity more than how we played in the past. Not to knock any of the previous situations but I think this situation fits this team the best.”

Joerger said he hasn’t done anything out of character to try to connect with Cousins.

“I didn’t really do anything special other than try to be yourself,” Joerger said. “I think if you try to be somebody else that’s always a problem. Players can always see right through that so just be yourself, what you’re trying to do, how we’re trying to build it for the future of our team this season and going out for future years."

The Dallas Mavericks are "expected to go hard after" DeMarcus Cousins during his 2018 free agency.

Cousins signed a four-year, $62 million contract extension in 2013 with the Sacramento Kings.

Cousins has been offered the opportunity to be traded by the Kings but he's continued to try to make the situation work.

The Mavericks recently signed Jaleel Cousins, who is DeMarcus' younger brother and he is expected to join the Texas Legends.

Dallas signed Harrison Barnes in the 2016 offseason one year after DeAndre Jordan ultimately decided to back out of his verbal agreement to re-sign with the Clippers.

The NBA Development League and the Sacramento Kings have announced that the team has acquired a controlling interest in the NBA D-League’s Reno Bighorns. With the purchase, the Kings become the 15th NBA team to own and operate its NBA D-League affiliate. 

“With today’s purchase, half of NBA teams now own and operate their NBA D-League affiliate – an important milestone that proves how essential developing top young NBA talent has become,” said NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner.  “I’m thrilled to welcome Vivek Ranadivé and the Sacramento Kings’ ownership group to the NBA D-League family and want to thank Herb Santos for his integral role in Bighorns basketball.”  

Longstanding partners, the Bighorns and Kings have been affiliated since the 2008-09 season, Reno’s inaugural NBA D-League campaign. Prior to the 2013-14 season, the teams entered into a single-affiliation partnership, with the NBA franchise managing basketball operations for the NBA D-League club. With today’s purchase, the Kings will now assume all business operations of the Bighorns. 

“We’re excited to deepen our relationship with the Bighorns and the Reno/Tahoe community,” said Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “This is an incredible opportunity to develop players, front-office staff and future business executives for the Sacramento Kings, while simultaneously contributing meaningfully to the Reno entertainment, commercial and non-profit ecosystem.”

Rudy Gay has been mentioned in multiple trade rumors less than a week before the start of the season.

Gay has been linked to deals with the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans. Gay has previously informed the Kings he plans to opt for free agency in the 2017 offseason.

“I wake up every day and get ready to play the next game,” Gay said after practice Wednesday. “I’m with the Sacramento Kings. I prepare as if I’m going to be with the Sacramento Kings. I have no choice but to work for the Sacramento Kings.

“All the speculation is BS. Really, it’s out of my control. I’ll come here and be with my teammates and act as if I’ll be here all year.”

Gay admitted he's aware of the rumors.

“I hear it,” he said. “I’ve been traded before. If I came here (to practice) as if I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t help my teammates. That’s a league thing. That’s not just me. That’s something you don’t want a reputation for (quitting on your team).”

Dave Joerger dismissed the trade rumors and commended Gay.

“(Gay’s) a wonderful human being who’s grown as a player and a leader. He likes it here. We all want to win a little bit more. There’s going to be rumors. Guys in the last year of contracts, guys 6-8 who can do the things he does (on the court)."

The Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder held serious discussions on a deal centered on Rudy Gay for Cameron Payne earlier in the offseason.

Talks stalled when Payne broke his foot in September.

Payne was a lottery pick in 2015 out of Murray State.

Gay has informed the Kings he plans to decline his player option for the 17-18 season worth $14.3 million and doesn't figure to have interest in re-signing.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are receiving trade interest from several teams on Ricky Rubio.

Tom Thibodeau is reluctant to trade Rubio until Kris Dunn shows he's ready to take over the point guard position. Dunn is not expected to become the Wolves' starting point guard until approximately 20 games into the regular season.

Rubio has three seasons and $43 million remaining on his current contract. Rubio is still just 25 and has been an effective two-way point guard when healthy.

The Sacramento Kings are the most determined team looking to acquire Rubio as they continue their search for an upgrade at point guard.

Ben McLemore and the Sacramento Kings are unlikely to reach agreement on an extension before the Oct. 31st deadline.

McLemore will instead become a restricted free agent in 2017.

Ty Lawson has been cleared to rejoin the Sacramento Kings after meeting with team management.

Vlade Divac told reporters in Sacramento that the team is satisfied with Lawson's explanation that a "personal issue" caused him to miss the flight Friday from Las Vegas to Kentucky for a preseason game.

Lawson was late for a team shootaround before Thursday's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Vegas, and then missed the flight to Kentucky.

"We handle it inside [the] house," Divac told local reporters in reference to Monday's meeting with Lawson.

"He got the message, and we move forward."

Ty Lawson will have to meet with team officials to explain himself after missing the Kings' recent flight to Kentucky for an exhibition game.

Lawson was late to a Kings shootaround in Las Vegas earlier this week, then missed the team's trip east before Saturday night's Sacramento/Washington preseason game at Rupp Arena.

The Kings attributed Lawson's absence from the lineup in Lexington to "personal reasons." He has since returned to Sacramento, sources said, and faces an uncertain future with his new team after the week's events.

Darren Collison will be suspended for the first eight games of the season, which has created an even bigger need for Lawson.

The Kings also have Jordan Farmar on their roster.

The Kings have been publicly optimistic about Lawson's ability to contribute for much of training camp.

Lawson has been arrested four times for driving under the influence -- twice in a seven-month span in 2015. 

Vivek Ranadive apologized to Geoff Petrie and his staff for comments he made about them not wanting to remain with the Sacramento Kings when he took control of the franchise in 2013.

“I wanted to sincerely apologize to Geoff Petrie and his team,” Ranadive said. “I meant no disrespect. I have the utmost respect for what they have done for the franchise and what they have accomplished. I fully understand that it’s a huge privilege to own a basketball team, and as chairman of the ownership, the buck stops with me. I accept responsibility for everything. All the mistakes are my mistakes.”

Petrie and his front office offered assistance in the transition.

“I needed somebody to go and actually work out the players,” Ranadive told USA Today. “Nobody wanted to be there. There was no coach (Keith Smart), no GM. Geoff (Petrie) didn’t want to be there. There was nobody there.”