While The Bee reported Friday that he would be named solely as assistant general manager, sources within the organization and close to the team said the title was altered slightly in the days before the multiyear contract was signed.

He will join Basketball President Geoff Petrie and Vice President Wayne Cooper, both of whom have been with the team for 15 years.

According to the team's news release, Levien's duties will include "drafting and management of players, coaching and management contracts, assisting in salary cap planning and analysis, and overseeing team compliance with all NBA rules and procedures." He will begin Dec. 15.

Petrie, whose relationship with Levien dates to 2000, said he was impressed with Levien from the start.

"Over the years, I had different conversations with him ... and I was impressed with his preparation, his knowledge," Petrie said. "It's his ability to do some things in house for us along with his Basketball background that will be valuable."

According to the Web site draftexpress.com, Levien -- who was based in Miami -- is ranked 13th among agents in terms of current guaranteed salary on contracts he has landed ($129.8 million).

Levien, reached by phone, declined to discuss financial details of his deal but said the appeal of joining the Basketball side of the operation was more important than whether he would take a pay cut.

"I think it's a combination of a love of Basketball, a real belief in the Kings and the people that make up the Kings organization from the owners to the president, and it's the challenge," said Levien, who played Basketball at Pomona College and earned his law degree at the University of Michigan.

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