Kings' Petrie refutes report of contract extension

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie hasn't called his agent about a new contract with the Kings – nor will he, since he doesn't have an agent.

And if Petrie had an agent, it doesn't sound as if he'd be angling for a new contract.

Petrie said there are plenty of things to deal with now, and extending his contract beyond next season is not one of them.

The New York Post reported Petrie was close to signing a new contract, which came as news to Kings ownership and Petrie, who signed his current contract in 2009.

"I don't have much of a story for you," said Petrie, who is in St. Louis scouting players in the NCAA Tournament. "It's the last thing on my mind."

Petrie has been with the Kings since 1994 and twice has been named the NBA's Executive of the Year (1999, 2001).

The Kings haven't made the playoffs since 2006, and critics have said Petrie's personnel decisions have played a big role – though the team has been frugal for much of that time.

Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said ownership remains pleased with Petrie.

"He still has another year, and all I would say is we're happy with the direction of the team," Maloof said. "We feel what (head coach) Keith Smart is doing with the team is unbelievable, and Geoff is orchestrating the whole thing."

Maloof said the Kings are becoming the team Smart envisioned when he took over for Paul Westphal on Jan. 5. They're running more, scoring and improving on defense.

Although the Kings are 17-30, second worst in the Western Conference, Maloof is optimistic.

"Eventually it's going to translate into wins," Maloof said.

Petrie said Smart is developing young players, and the team is happy to see Tyreke Evans playing off the ball and DeMarcus Cousins improving.

Forward Jason Thompson, another former Kings first-round draft pick, also has impressed the bosses.

"Keith's got the team and the players in the home improvement aisle," Petrie said. "There's a lot of things we need to develop, a lot of things to work on going into free agency, this year's draft and going into next year."

The Kings, who will be under the salary cap again this summer, will have some financial decisions to make after the season.

They must decide whether to offer Evans an extension and whether to make qualifying offers to Thompson and forward Donté Green, which would make the pair restricted free agents. The Kings then would have the right to match any offers from other teams.

The Kings also have flexibility to trade for veterans to accelerate the rebuilding process.

Maloof said Petrie will lead the Kings through those waters.

"Geoff's one of the best GMs in the league," Maloof said. "We still have to talk to him, but his contract runs through next year."

• Read more articles by Jason Jones

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