National Basketball Association

Kings extend contract of Smart

Published Mar. 5, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Kings coach Keith Smart has found some job security as an NBA head coach in California's state capital.

Sacramento president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie announced Monday that the team has extended Smart's contract through the 2012-13 season. The 47-year-old Smart replaced the fired Paul Westphal in early January - giving him another shot as a head coach after being let go by the Golden State Warriors last April.

Keeping Smart is another encouraging development for the franchise, which has a full financing plan in place for a new arena that could keep the Kings from leaving town. The City Council is set to vote on the plan Tuesday night.

The Kings, who lost 96-88 at Phoenix on Sunday, are 12-25 and have dropped eight of their last 10.