Kings remain in holding pattern

Kings Vice President Wayne Cooper said the team continues to monitor the free-agent landscape, but hasn't yet made any direct moves.

"We're trying to see what guys want," Cooper said Saturday of potential free-agent signees. "We're checking in with everybody, but we haven't targeted anyone."

Historically, front-office personnel establish relationships with agents over the years. Often times, those relationships spawn links to players.

Since the Kings consistently have dealt with agents such as Mark Bartelstein, Andy Miller, Bob Myers, Arn Tellem, Lon Babby, Aaron Goodwin and Bill Duffy, it would not be difficult to figure those agents were among the first to receive calls on the fact-finding mission.

The Kings will not be aggressive with restricted free-agents if Petrie's history is any indication. The only restricted free-agents the Kings will pursue are those they believe would not have their offer matched.

That would take a team being hamstrung financially during the course of negotiations with another free agent. So, timing would be everything.

• Cooper said first-round draft choice DeMarcus Cousins should be signed this week. Second-round pick Hasaan Whiteside cannot be signed until July 8 when the league's finances have been tabulated.

• Unrestricted free-agent and former Kings guard Eddie House said he has not heard of any interest from Sacramento.

• An early winner in free agency has been agent Duffy, who reportedly has agreements for clients Amir Johnson (5-years, $34 million with Toronto), Drew Gooden (5-years, $32 million with Milwaukee) and Hakim Warrick (4-years, $18 million).

• Word is teams had problems with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh meeting before July 1 to discuss their respective plans. So what exactly does free agency mean?

• The Raptors allegedly have been dismayed Chris Bosh has put down tweets describing his enjoyment of the recruiting process. Hopefully, that's not an accurate portrayal of Toronto's stance or would it be cool to Raptors management if Bosh said how much he hated the process.

• Another please say it isn't so: We've heard talk that James doesn't want to play with Wade because winning with him would tarnish this so-called legendary status he seeks. I'm not the biggest James fan because of one encounter I had with him, but this sounds more like stupid stuff coming out of the mouths of reporters. However, if James' ego truly is that large, no wonder he's having problems leading his team over the championship hump.