Fall from Royalty, Part Three: The Final Touches on the Decline of the Sacramento Kings

That didn't quite work like I'd hoped, but the Kings did have the 10th pick in what was supposed to be "one of the deepest drafts in recent memory." From my perspective, Hawes showed in college that he understands the game extremely well and is an excellent high-post passer. In that respect one can hope that his career follows a Brad Miller-type trajectory.

But was he the best pick for the Kings? Wouldn't the Kings have benefited from the athleticism of Sean Williams or, given the need for a backup point guard (pre-Beno), a player like Acie Law? This one's not going to be clear for another couple of years, so Geoff gets the benefit of the doubt for filling a need in the middle with a guy with a good feel for the game.

Step 15: Sign Mikki Moore (Summer 2007)

I have to agree with ESPN's John Hollinger on this one. Signing a 32-year-old late-bloomer to a three-year deal worth $18 million seems like a stretch. Sure he shot 60 percent last year off of feeds from Kidd and thanks to double teams on Vinsanity and RJ, but it was the first time Moore had averaged more than 20 MPG for a season in nine seasons.

Now, thanks to the incompetence of Abdur-Rahim and Thomas, he's the Kings' starting PF and is averaging measly 8 PPG, 6 RPG and 0.6 BPG in 28 MPG. That is mediocre.

And how about this tiny morsel or mediocrity: Moore is leading the league in fouls (despite playing only 28 minutes) and averages 5.3 fouls per 36 minutes for his career. He's an absolute hacker!

Now, this isn't an article about the Kings' future, but they have to do something about the PF spot. If Shelden Williams (step 17) is the future answer, I don't know.

Aside from figuring out Artest's future and resigning Udrih, getting a decent PF or trading away the crappy ones we have for someone else's crappy contract has to be a top priority this summer. Between Shareef, Thomas, Moore, and Williams, the Kings are paying $22 million this year to fill the PF spot (that is often filled by Artest or Garcia) and are committed to at least that amount over the next two seasons (aside for Williams' player option in 2009-10). Sickening.

Can someone really argue that keeping Webber to the end of his deal (this year) wouldn't have been better than paying this three-headed (now four-headed) PF over $60 million until 2010? Ugh.

You know the really sad thing? I would prefer to toss a Mikki Moore signing into the "not important enough for this article" pile with Ronnie Price, Maurice Evans, Tony Massenberg, and the like, but Mikki has started 54 freaking games this year! BOO!

Step 16: Signed Beno Udrih  (November 2007)

Thank you Gregg Popovich and Kevin McHale! Given the years of ignoring the fact that they didn't have a backup PG, the Kings found themselves between a rock and a hard place when Mike Bibby's broken thumb meant he would be out for a couple months to start the season.  

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