Kings notes: Cousins, Fredette have contract options exercised

The Kings announced Wednesday they had exercised the contract options on center DeMarcus Cousins and guard Jimmer Fredette for the 2013-14 season.

Both players' options are part of their rookie deals.

"We're looking forward to seeing DeMarcus and Jimmer play this year and continue to grow, improve and help this team be successful," basketball president Geoff Petrie said in a statement.

Cousins, a first-round pick from Kentucky, is beginning his third season. Last season, he was second on the team in scoring with 18.1 points per game and averaged a team-high 11 rebounds. His career averages are 15.9 points and 9.7 rebounds.

Cousins would be eligible for a contract extension after this season.

Fredette averaged 7.6 points last season as a rookie after being drafted in the first round out of BYU.

OK to practice – Forward Tyler Honeycutt has been cleared to return to practice.

Honeycutt has been out since a stress fracture in his right fibula was discovered during a physical Oct. 1.

The second-year forward is looking forward to getting back on the court.

"I was just doing treatment and getting worked on," he said. "They had me stay off it, and I had to wear an air cast, but I had my physical and got cleared to practice."

Honeycutt's offseason progress has twice been delayed by injury. He missed summer league in July because of a stress fracture in the head of the second metatarsal on his right foot.

Honeycutt did not play in Wednesday's exhibition game against the Warriors at Sleep Train Arena. Coach Keith Smart said Honeycutt would be able to see action before the end of the preseason.

No change – Smart used the same starting lineup from Monday's victory over the Portland Trail Blazers: Aaron Brooks and Tyreke Evans at guard, Jason Thompson and Travis Outlaw at forward and Cousins at center.

Smart has said that not much should be read into who starts exhibition games. What about the regular-season opener Oct. 31 at Chicago?

"I already know what my lineup is going to be," Smart said. He's just not revealing it.

Hitting the road – Wednesday's game was the last at home in the preseason for the Kings. They leave today for Las Vegas, where they will face the Lakers on Friday.

The Kings play the Lakers again Sunday in Los Angeles before visiting Phoenix on Monday. The Kings finish the preseason next Thursday against the Lakers in San Diego.

Salmons' absence – Forward John Salmons is not with the team for personal reasons. He has missed the last two games.

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