The Sports Informant

We all know the Sacramento Kings have trouble winning games. But apparently, the Kings can’t even win a hand of poker… with a stacked deck.

Essentially, that’s what happened tonight in the NBA draft lottery, a bingo-style lotto rigged to give the worst teams the best chance at a future. The Kings, with the worst 2008-2009 record in the league, had the most balls in the pit and the best odds at getting the No. 1 overall pick (a 25 percent chance). They got No. 4 instead.

Former King Chris Webber, who attended the NBA draft lottery and represented the team, watched the Kings fall to No. 4. (Photo courtesy Greg Ashman)

The Los Angeles Clippers, who had the third-best odds coming in, got the lucky lotto ball signifying the No. 1 pick. Odds are, they’ll take college sensation Blake Griffin, a player that really could have turned things around for Sacramento.

Now the Kings, left with some work to do before the June 25 draft, are stuck with a major decision. The decision might not be who to pick at No. 4 even; it may be to get rid of it altogether.

Trading the No. 4 pick will have some value. With a particularly weak crop of draft candidates this year, the Kings could trade the pick for a veteran player of quality.

There’s a wealth of talent out there to trade for. Get rid of both first round draft picks, No. 4 and No. 23, and go for a Kevin Garnett or Shaq at center, or a Steve Nash or Tracy McGrady at guard. The Rockets showed this year they didn’t need McGrady’s services after all, and shouldn’t the Kings get something in return for the gift they gave Houston in Ron Artest?

The possibilities are endless with the salary cap space the Kings have made by getting rid of Artest, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and company. But maybe Sacramento doesn’t trade the picks. Maybe they get someone for the future with both, and spend the big bucks on a free agent. While LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will make a killing in 2010, odds are Sacramento won’t get either of the first two anyway, so why wait another year in mediocrity?

Hey, Bibby and Artest are free agents… nah, maybe they shouldn’t go there again.

But seriously, the Ben Gordon sweepstakes should begin soon, and if the Kings are going to keep Beno Udrih’s ridiculous mistake of a contract, Sacramento can slide Kevin Martin to the three, making a position at the two for Gordon to thrive. Put Jason Thompson at the four and Spencer Hawes at the five, or vice versa, and that’s an impressive lineup (now that they’re a year wiser and stronger).

If not, wouldn’t Allen Iverson make a perfect fit? Sure, Iverson and Martin would clash, but maybe that’s what Martin needs to thrive. The guy had a tough time as Sacramento’s No. 1 guy, with that pressure off, he can climb back up to the top. We saw what Iverson did with Carmelo Anthony, right?

Just look at this list of only some of the possible free agents. Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine O’Neal, Nate Robinson, Al Harrington, Andre Miller, Shawn Marion and Carlos Boozer. Not bad.

Owners Gavin (speaking) and Joe Maloof, along with President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie, left, have some tough decisions to make. (Photo courtesy Greg Ashman)

Odds are, whatever the Kings do, they’ll go small. For a team “rebuilding,” it would be a step back to draft or trade for a big man they immediately want in the starting five after investing so much in Thompson and Hawes. That leaves guys like James Harden and Stephen Curry in the mix. But that’s an article for another date.

For now, it’s obvious the Sacramento Kings need to make something big happen. Fans are already refusing to buy tickets to games, and if another season with Sacramento in last place occurs with a bunch of starless players in center stage, the once proud franchise selling out Arco Arena will be a distant memory. My suggestion? Bring in someone who will fill the seats. Win or lose, you’ll get some fans back, and until your players develop and you can climb back up to the top of the conference again, that’s the most important thing owners Joe and Gavin Maloof should be thinking about.