Kings give qualifiying offer to guard Thornton

The Kings on Tuesday extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Marcus Thornton.

The move was not surprising since Thornton, who was acquired in February, quickly became a player the Kings sought to build around.

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the Kings had to extend the one-year offer by June 30 to retain the right of first refusal.

Thornton can sign an offer sheet from another team, but the Kings can match any offer and retain the guard, who will be entering his third season.

The Kings are expected to use some of the money available under their salary cap to sign Thornton to a multiyear deal. He earned $762,195 last season.

Thornton was acquired with cash from New Orleans for forward Carl Landry on Feb. 23. For the Kings, Thornton averaged 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals in 27 games, including 23 starts.

After a solid rookie season in New Orleans, Thornton's playing time decreased under new coach Monty Williams. Thornton often referred to being traded to the Kings as a "blessing," and he said he planned to be back in Sacramento.

Thornton, who participated in the Kings' NBA draft lottery party last month, finished the season starting in the backcourt with Tyreke Evans.

Also Tuesday, the Kings waived guard Jermaine Taylor, who was acquired with cash from Houston in December for a second-round draft pick. Taylor averaged 7.1 points in 26 games with the Kings.