NBA: Kings exercise contract option on Coach Smart

The Sacramento Kings issued a statement Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) announcing that the team has opted to exercise the option on head coach Keith Smart's contract for next season.   Smart was initially an assistant coach with the Kings at the start of this season, but was named interim head coach after the team fired Paul Westphal last January.   The Kings then signed Smart to a two-year deal, with the second year as a team option, which was quickly picked up by president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie.   In the statement, Petrie said, "Keith has done a terrific job of taking control of the direction of the team. He is active, engaged, and working hard to develop our young players along with a complimentary style of play."   The Kings currently possess a 12-25 record and have lost eight of their last 10 games.   Smart's prior head coaching stints include stops with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. As a player, Smart actually made his mark locally in the PBA as an import back in 1989 for the San Miguel Beermen. — Adrian Dy/RSJ, GMA News