The Sacramento Kings got some much-needed depth at point guard and a possible backup plan if they lose starter Isaiah Thomas in free agency. Avonte Maddox Jersey . The Kings and Darren Collison agreed to a three-year contract worth about $16 million Thursday, a person familiar with the deal said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because teams cant officially sign free agents until the NBAs moratorium on moves is lifted July 10. The Los Angeles Times first reported the agreement. Collison opted out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers that would have paid him $1.9 million next season. He averaged 11.4 points and 3.7 assists in 25.9 minutes last season, primarily as Chris Pauls backup. Collison has been a starter at times throughout his career since New Orleans drafted him 21st overall in 2009 out of UCLA, including 35 games last season while Paul was injured. He also played two seasons with Indiana and one in Dallas before helping the Clippers reach the second round of the playoffs. Clippers coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers had called Collison the teams No. 1 priority in free agency. Instead, Collison left for a big pay raise in Californias capital city and possibly even a chance to start. With so much money already committed to DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay next season, the Kings chances of keeping Thomas already were going to be tough this summer. Thomas, the last pick of the 2011 draft who has become a fan favourite in Sacramento, has worked his way into being a full-time starter who averaged 20.3 points and 6.3 assists last season. The market for ball-handling guards also has been a booming one this summer. Shaun Livingston left the Brooklyn Nets for a three-year, $16 million deal with Golden State. Kyle Lowry has a contract in place to return to Toronto reportedly worth $48 million over four years, and Kyrie Irving agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract extension with Cleveland. Because Thomas is a restricted free agent, the Kings can match any offer he receives. Whether they will -- or can afford to do so -- remains unclear. The Kings also are counting on some of their young guards to blossom. Last years second-round pick, point guard Ray McCallum, showed signs of improving when he played bigger minutes in the final weeks of the season. And Sacramento has drafted a shooting guard with its last two first-round picks, Ben McLemore (seventh overall) out of Kansas last year and Michigans Nik Stauskas (eighth overall) this June. Owner Vivek Ranadive, general manager Pete DAlessandro and coach Michael Malone have made as many moves as any team in the league since taking over the Kings last year, so its also possible Sacramento could shuffle its roster with more trades again this summer. Josh Sweat Eagles Jersey . -- Valentin Zykov scored in overtime as the Baie-Comeau Drakkar rallied to a 3-2 victory over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Sunday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. Josh Sweat Jersey . The 7-foot-1 Hawes, who is in the final year of his contract, is averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds, both career highs, and shoots 40 per cent from 3-point range. The 25-year-old Hawes is in his seventh NBA season. http://www.eaglesrookiestore.com/Eagles-Markus-Wheaton-Jersey/ . -- Aaron Rodgers isnt out for revenge in Green Bays season opener.Former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes admits his old side have their work cut out to get past Villarreal and reach the Europa League final. Liverpool produced a stunning fightback, twice coming from two goals behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 on Thursday night and 5-4 on aggregate, after Dejan Lovrens injury-time header at Anfield.They were drawn to play the Yellow Submarine in Fridays draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon but Morientes believes playing the second leg at Anfield gives Liverpool the upper hand. Villarreal is one of the best teams in La Liga at the moment, Morientes told Sky Sports News HQ. Dejan Lovren heads Liverpools winner on Thursday night They have a stadium which might not hold too many people but they play very good football. They have a very strong mentality and the coach always tries to attack. Its always the same.But its the same with Liverpool they always try to score the goal that will win them the match. Villarreal are a very good team and I think next year they will play in the Champions League for sure. Villarreal have former Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado in their ranks Liverpool will need to play with a strong mentality in both games because Villarreal can score and they have good strikers.Asked about the prospect of Jurgen Klopps side playing the second leg at home, Morientes said: That is one point to Liverpool. It is better for them to play the second game in Liverpool. Morientes thinks the Anfield second leg could be key Morientes made 60 appearances during 18 months at Liverpool after joining the Merseysiders from Real Madrid in January 2005.He won the European Super Cup with Liverpool later that year but was cup-tied for the Champions League campaign, which saw the Reds win the competition after coming back from three goals down to beat AC Milan on penalties in an epic final in Istanbul. Morientes (l) celebrates with Djibril Cisse after Liverpools 2005 European Super Cup win Morientes - who also played for Monaco, Marseille and Valencia during his glittering 22-year playing career - admits he saw no way back for Liverpool on Thursday night after they trailed 3-1 with 33 minutes remaining. Haloti Ngata Eagles Jersey. In Europe, it is always difficult to win if you need to score three goals, he said.It was amazing. It was a very exciting game but after Reus scored Borussias third goal, I thought the game was over. Morientes (l) is a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid Istanbul was similar but it was the final of the Champions League.But Liverpool played a great second half and the atmosphere at Anfield was so important in helping them win the game. Players like to play in that kind of atmosphere. It was spectacular. Heres what to expect from the Europa League semi finals Also See: Liverpool to face Villarreal Balague: Reds will be favourites Liverpool 4-3 Dortmund (5-4 agg) Get a ￡10 free bet! Cheap Predators Jerseys Cheap Jets Jerseys Cheap Ducks Jerseys Cheap Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Sharks Jerseys Cheap Canucks Jerseys Cheap Bruins Jerseys Cheap Sabres Jerseys Cheap Panthers Jerseys Cheap Canadiens Jerseys Cheap Senators Jerseys Cheap Hurricanes Jerseys Cheap Blue Jackets Jerseys Cheap Islanders Jerseys Cheap Rangers Jerseys Cheap Flyers Jerseys ' ' '