NBA Rumors: J.J. Hickson Reportedly Bought Out by Sacramento Kings

The NBA trade deadline has passed, but that doesn't mean the March Madness of player movement is over.

The buyout season has just begun, with J.J. Hickson joining the parade of players in search of employment after scoring easy paydays.

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, the Sacramento Kings have granted Hickson a buyout, thereby bringing to an end an ill-fated experiment that only just began.

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Forward JJ Hickson gets buyout from Kings, source tells Yahoo!

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) March 19, 2012"

The Kings acquired Hickson from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Omri Casspi and a lottery-protected first-round pick in the 2012 NBA draft just prior to the lockout last year.

The fourth-year forward out of North Carolina State was expected to bolster Sacramento's frontcourt alongside the likes of DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson, but never quite found a niche with the team.

Hickson had averaged 4.7 points on 37 percent shooting along with 5.0 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game this season, after registering 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game with the Cavs in his previous campaign.

The 23-year-old from Atlanta, GA figures to be among the most coveted free agents to hit the market this month, considering his blend of youth, talent and upside. Veteran teams like the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs will likely be among the suitors lining up to land Hickson's services despite his reputation as something of a head case.

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