NBA Free Agents 2011: Marcus Thornton Re-Signs with Sacramento Kings

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the Sacramento Kings signed Marcus Thornton, the shooting guard they acquired shortly before the trade deadline last year to a five-year, $40 million extension according to CSN California. 

Thornton absolutely exploded with the team after getting dealt there and getting a chance to start, scoring 21.3 points per game and grabbing 4.3 rebounds and dishing out 3.4 assists. 

The Kings are also pursuing the Rockets' free agent center Chuck Hayes and have extended him a four year, $20 million offer according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

The Kings are in need of a successful season as they were on the precipice of moving last season before the Maloof brothers agreed to keep them for one more year. 

The Kings will need to provide a new facility to stay there and the city received a surprise offer last night when Magic Johnson promised to not only donate money to help with the stadium but also to re-elect mayor Kevin Jonson according to KFBK radio producer Judy Farah. 

While there's still a ways to go for the Kings to get the Maloof family to keep the team in town they are taking incremental steps in that direction and the retaining of Thornton is one of them.