Oh, to be a Kings fan...

Last year, as the NBA Trade deadline came and passed, rumors were that Denver was willing to send Linas Kleiza to Sacramento for Ron Artest. However, Sacramento wanted a draft pick too. When Denver would not include the pick, Sacramento passed. Instead, Sacramento sent Artest to Houston for Bobby Jackson and Donte Green during the summer.

According to rumors this year, Dallas was willing to send Jerry Stackhouse and Brandon Bass for John Salmons. Also, New York was interested in Brad Miller for Malik Rose, but Sacramento insisted on Nate Robinson (alledgedly).

Instead, Sacramento dealt Miller and Salmons for Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Ike Diogu. Gooden, Simmons and Diogu are expiring contracts, like Rose, Kleiza, Jackson and Stackhouse (well, basically).

So, to re-start Sacramento's rebuilding efforts, the Kings acquired three more years of Andres Nocioni. Of course, this is after sending Mike Bibby to Atlanta for Sheldon Williams (expiring contract) and other pieces.

So, in effect, Sacramento dealt Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Ron Artest and John Salmons for Andres Nocioni, Donte Green and cap space without acquiring a single draft pick in the process.

Instead, at minimum, Sacramento could have acquired Kleiza (the small forward Sacramento needs with an expiring contract and a smaller contract than Nocioni) and Bass (an athletic power forward to complement Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes).

Personally, I prefer Kleiza and Bass to Nocioni and Green.

I had hope that Sacramento could acquire a young player or a draft pick to bring hope. Nope.

Maybe a contender would like Nocioni's toughness and outside shooting. Cleveland? San Antonio? Phoenix? Hello? Anyone?