Musselman only lasts one year with Kings

The Sacramento Kings fired coach Eric Musselman on Friday after just one tumultuous season.

The Kings went 33-49 and missed the playoffs this spring after reaching the postseason eight consecutive times under Rick Adelman.

"There is no particular joy in making this decision," said Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations. "However, I feel it is in the best interest of everyone going forward."

Adelman was dropped by Sacramento owners Joe and Gavin Maloof last summer against the apparent wishes of Petrie. The Maloofs then chose Musselman, a longtime NBA assistant coach who presided over two decent seasons with the Golden State Warriors from 2002 to 2004.

But Musselman's season was a disappointment from Oct. 20, when he was arrested on a drunken-driving charge. Musselman later pleaded no contest to the charge and served a two-game suspension in February.

The Kings, who won two Pacific Division titles and reached the 2002 Western Conference finals under Adelman, struggled under Musselman, despite returning largely the same roster that scared the San Antonio Spurs in a first-round series last season. The unpleasant locker room was filled with infighting, and veterans Ron Artest, Mike Bibby and Brad Miller failed to take charge.

After weeks of rumors surrounding Musselman's departure, the Kings made the move after Musselman met with Petrie on Friday. The Maloofs must pay Musselman about $5 million for the remaining two seasons of his contract.

NBA breaks ties for draft position: Portland won a tiebreaker against Minnesota, meaning the Trail Blazers will pick one spot higher if neither gets a top-three selection through the draft lottery.

The Blazers and Timberwolves both finished 32-50, tied for the sixth worst record in the NBA. They have the same 5.3 percent chances of winning the No. 1 pick.

There were five ties broken through a random drawing.

Charlotte (33-49) won a three-way tie with New York and Sacramento after tying for eighth. The Knicks then beat the Kings though the Chicago Bulls can swap picks with New York as a result of the Eddy Curry trade.

Three other ties were broken:

n Indiana (35-47) beat Philadelphia.

n Washington (41-41) beat New Jersey.

n Golden State (42-40) beat the Lakers.

The lottery will be held May 22 to determine the top three picks.