Kings’ Cousins suspended, fined
Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended one game without pay and fined $20,000 for his actions in separate incidents, the league announced Thursday.
Cousins has been suspended for punching Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley in the stomach with 9:44 remaining in the first quarter of the Kings’ 129-103 loss to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
In addition, Cousins has been fined for verbally abusing a game official and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter of the same game.
Cousins will serve his suspension on Friday when the Kings visit the Los Angeles Lakers.
Cousins leads the Kings with 22.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this season.
Meanwhile, the Kings and guard Jimmer Fredette have mutually agreed to a contract buyout.
Collins to sign with Nets for rest of season
The Brooklyn Nets likely will re-sign center Jason Collins for the remainder of the season, according to a New York Post report on Thursday.
Collins’ 10-day contract expires next week. The Nets signed the first openly gay American male athlete last week.
The 7-footer has played in two games since he signed and has one rebound and no points. He was on the floor for seven minutes in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night and for 11 minutes in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Bears sign Garza to one-year deal
LAKE FOREST, IL — The Chicago Bears signed veteran center Roberto Garza to a one-year contract on Thursday.
The 6-foot-2, 310-pound Garza started all 16 games for the Bears’ record-breaking offense in 2013. Garza was a part of an offensive line that allowed just 30 sacks last season, tied for fourth fewest in the NFL, and helped pave way for Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte’s career-high 1,339 rushing yards, which ranks ninth-most in franchise history and more than any Bears player other than Hall of Famer Walter Payton.
All five starters along the 2013 Bears offensive line are now under contract for the 2014 season.
Garza was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11.
Ravens release Leach, McClain
The Baltimore Ravens, looking to create more salary cap room, terminated the contracts of fullback Vonta Leach and linebacker Jameel McClain, general manager Ozzie Newsome announced Thursday.
The team saved nearly $5 million in cap space by cutting the vested veterans — $1.75 million for Leach and $3.2 million for McClain.
“Vonta and Jameel are two of our most important players over the last few seasons, helping us to the playoffs and giving the Ravens the Super Bowl win after the 2012 season,” Newsome said in a statement. “Vonta proved to be one of the best fullbacks in the league, plus he added leadership and toughness to our offense.
“Jameel is a Ravens’ success story who came to us as a rookie free agent. He changed positions from playing on the defensive line and outside to becoming a good inside linebacker and starter. People close to our team understand his commitment to being the best he can be and the leadership he gave on and off the field.
“There could come a point later on when we would consider bringing back Vonta and Jameel. They are our types of players.”