Tyler Honeycutt will spend time with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League this season, Keith Smart told The Bee's Jason Jones.

Honeycutt played in Monday's Kings loss to the Suns five days after being medically cleared to return to practice. Smart said that Honeycutt needs to be playing to develop, so as soon as he allowed to, he'll be sending Honeycutt to the Kings' D-League affiliate. It'll be a while, though -- Reno's season opens November 30.

Honeycutt spent 10 games in Reno last season, but barely played, averaging 13 minutes per game. He appeared in 12 games for the Kings, with fewer than 100 total minutes played as a rookie. He projects as a better version of Francisco Garcia, if things work out. He has good defensive potential and a respectable looking stroke.

Honeycutt is likely to be the only Kings appearing for Reno this season, unless the team elects to keep Tony Mitchell (unlikely) and assign him to the Bighorns. Hassan Whiteside also got some work in Reno last season. He is still without an NBA team.

This also seems to be confirmation that the Kings will keep Honeycutt on the roster.