The Pacers, Kings, and Blazers are among the teams reportedly interested in Texas point guard D.J. Augustin as the 2008 NBA Draft approaches, according to HoopsWorld.

"Anything can happen on draft night. I try not to look at or listen to the projections," Augustin said from Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando. "I just try to stay focused on what I have to do in front of these teams, and that's what matters."

The 76ers and Bucks are also mildly interested in the guard, as well.

"They've shown some interest (Milwaukee). My agent said they are pretty much looking at me a little bit. I'm not sure who I'm going to work out with, but I'm just going to go in and work hard," Augustin added.

In RealGM.com's latest mock draft, Chris Reina has Augustin going to Indiana with the eleventh overall pick.

The Kings could lose point guards Beno Udrih and Anthony Johnson through free agency so Geoff Petrie is looking for help everywhere, according to The Sacramento Bee.

"You know," the Kings' basketball president said, "when the season starts, we're going to have to have some point guards."

Both Udrih and Johnson will hit the market on July 1, and Petrie realizes that there's a possibility that both could leave.

"We'll look at the draft, we'll obviously look at our free agents, we'll look at trading and we'll look at signing," Petrie said.

Geoff Petrie will remain with the Sacramento Kings at least through 2009-10 season after the organization picked up their option on the contract of their president of basketball operations, the Associated Press is reporting.

"We've had the privilege of working with Geoff for the past nine years and consider him to be the best general manager in the NBA," Kings' owner Joe Maloof said. "He's respected league-wide for his dedication to the game, innovation, scouting, and diligence. We look forward to our continued work with Geoff as we bring the Kings back to prominence."

The Lakers appeared interested in forward Ron Artest earlier this season, but rumors could pick up this summer involving Los Angeles and the Kings, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Kobe Bryant has admitted that he wouldn't mind playing alongside Artest, and there is a growing belief that the strong personalities of Bryant and Coach Phil Jackson could help keep Artest in line.

As a restricted free agent, Ron would have to take a pay cut to the projected midlevel exception of approximately $5.6 million.

A sign-and-trade doesn't seem to make sense as the Lakers will likely be looking to unload a bad contract like Vladimir Radmanovic.

Ron Artest tried his hand at broadcasting on Saturday afternoon, switching between television and radio appearances during the Monarchs' season opener, according to The Sacramento Bee.

"It was much harder than I thought," Artest said. "Hopefully, I'll do some more."

The only issue is that Artest has the option to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, which could hinder his ability to appear at more Monarchs' games.

Kings' forward Ron Artest indicated late Thursday night he's not planning to leave Sacramento, Sam Amick of The Sacramento Bee is reporting.

Artest, who has until June 30 to exercise an early termination option in his contract for the 2008-09 season, said he and his agent are not plotting to explore free agency.

The contract of Kings' basketball operations president Geoff Petrie has one season left with a team option for the following season.  Owner Joe Maloof told The Bee on Friday that he wants to retain Petrie's services.

"We're picking that [option] up," Maloof said. "Put that in the paper. Whatever his option is, we're going to pick it up. We think he's the best."

Petrie had been approached by the Atlanta Hawks about filling their general manager vacancy.

The Kings are still waiting for Ron Artest to decide whether or not he will opt out of his contract this summer, according to The Sacramento Bee.

The team will owe him $8.45 million next season if he opts to play out the final year of his deal.

Artest wants to get paid, and the Kings can afford to give him the most money because they hold his Bird rights. However, he would prefer a long-term deal, something Sacramento hasn't decided on yet.