SACRAMENTO (AP) — The Sacramento Kings have extended a qualifying offer to Jason Thompson to make the forward a restricted free agent.

Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie officially announced the long-expected move Monday. The tender allows Sacramento to match any offer Thompson receives when free agency begins July 1.

Thompson averaged 9.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists playing mostly off the bench last season. He was selected by the Kings with the 12th overall pick in the 2008 draft.

Sacramento owns the fifth overall pick in Thursday night’s draft.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.)