Kenny Thomas is familiar with being used as a cost-cutting measure, so this isn't entirely different.
The Kings veteran forward didn't travel with the team for the second half of last season, a move that never would have been made if he had any significant role to speak of. And now the once-forgotten man is the player with the $8.7 million expiring contract, a deal the Kings are looking to trade to any team looking to cut salary next summer. For a worthy price, of course.
A source with knowledge of the situation said the Kings have had discussions with New Orleans about a trade involving Thomas and Hornets center Emeka Okafor.
Acquiring the 6-foot-10, 255-pound big man, who is in his sixth season, would likely take the Kings out of the running for free-agent dealings next summer and maybe summers thereafter. He has five years and $62.5 million left on his contract, including this season.
Okafor, who was drafted second overall by Charlotte in 2004 and traded to New Orleans in late July, has career averages of 13.9 points and 10.6 rebounds. The source said nothing is imminent and this is merely a two-way, exploratory discussion at present. Meanwhile, Thomas is relishing his own new reality. He's more than an expiring contract these days – he's a basketball player.
After playing in a combined 31 games in the last two seasons (eight in 2008-09), he has played in five of the last six games while averaging 13.4 minutes, and proving perhaps he should have been out there all along.
His interior defense and rebounding skills are a good fit for the style adopted by firstyear Kings coach Paul Westphal, with no game showing that better than Friday's win over Houston. Thomas logged 19 minutes, grabbed seven rebounds and helped with the likes of Luis Scola and Carl Landry down low. Considering the Kings' ability to be physical with the Rockets was a key factor, his was a pivotal performance.
"The last two years have been crazy, but we have a coach now who has experience," Thomas said. "He's been around the block. He knows what it takes to win, and ... he's just playing the best guys when he feels it's the right time for them ... It feels good to just be on the court."
Casspi turns ankle ... again – Kings rookie small forward Omri Casspi turned his left ankle for the second time in a week Friday but said he expects to be ready to play Tuesday against Chicago.
Casspi, who didn't play against Utah on Nov. 7 after turning the ankle in practice the previous day, tweaked it again in the fourth quarter against Houston and did not return. The team did not practice Saturday, but Casspi said he will test the ankle at today's practice before deciding if he will take part.
Et cetera – Guard Tyreke Evans has scored 20-plus points in the last four games, a mark last achieved by a Kings rookie when Lionel Simmons did it in seven consecutive games in the 1990-91 season.
• The Kings have scored 100-plus points in their past six games.
• The Kings stopped a three-game losing streak to the Rockets.
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