Can Danny?

The Question: Is there any hope for Sacramento?

The Answer: Not really.

The Solution: Beno Udrih has become the poster child for the Kings' miserable season but let's be real, this team isn't good. Kevin Martin isn't someone you can really build a team around because of his lack of passing skills and defense. He's a third star. Spencer Hawes was supposed to be the post player of the future but in this past season he actually jacked up more three than Udrih did. Jason Thompson is solid but I don't think he'll ever be anything more than that.

If they truly believe that Ricky Rubio is a difference maker, I think they should offer up Thompson and the #4 to get him. The Rubio, Martin, Hawes core could make for a very interesting running team, especially with a guy like Nocioni alongside them at the PF spot. But is that really going to make a difference? Is that team going to compete in the West?

I would look to shake things up completely. Maybe move Martin and Nocioni to Philly for Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young. See what I could get for Hawes and Thompson and if there's any way that I can put one of those guys with Beno Udrih in order to dump Beno's contract. I'd trade down in the draft, if not out of it completely.

Spitballing, I'd suggest my two go-to targets: Philly and New Jersey:

Martin and Nocioni for Brand and Young: The Sixers get a starting SG to team with Iggy as well as a PF who's a better fit for the running game. They also get rid of the Elton Brand mistake. The Kings add a veteran PF and a promising young SF.

Jason Thompson, #4 pick, Kenny Thomas's expiring deal, and filler for Vince Carter and the #11 pick: The Nets dump their last big contract and get a young power forward to team with Brook Lopez and move up to get James Harden. The Kings add a marquee name whose contract isn't as bad as most people make it out to be since there's a team option on the final year (in 2011-12). The filler would have to be someone in a sign-and-trade; I doubt NJ is interested in Francisco Garcia's contract.

Also, I might look at deals like:

Francisco Garcia and the #28 for Jamaal Tinsley and the #13: I'm not sure if the Pacers are this desperate to get rid of Jamaal Tinsley but I'd look to see if there couldn't be some sort of deal made with the Pacers.

Split the MLE on guys like Anthony Parker, Leon Powe and Quinton Ross. Maybe not those guys specifically but add some veteran backups.

That would give the Kings a starting lineup of: Hawes, Brand, Thad Young, Vince, and whichever PG they take at #11 or maybe Jamaal Tinsley who was good enough when he did play in Indy. (And he's an expiring deal after next year so he'll have some trade value).

While I'll readily admit that that plan is highly unlikely and not without its risks, the worst thing the Kings could do is sit back and repeat what they've done the last few years: reach for someone in the draft, overpay a couple of veterans, and then just outright dump their worst contracts for nothing. Even when it works out, the team is still a sub-.500 squad. And while the youth movement is OK, I think it would be better to sell high. Even if they can move up to get Rubio, the kid will take a couple years to mature and, unfortunately, I doubt if Kings fans have that kind of time. A couple more lean years and the Maloof's might try to hightail it out of Sactown.

The Kings have one of the best fanbases in all of basketball so I'd like to see the Maloof's go out and try to bring in a winning squad. It won't be easy but the status quo isn't working, the lottery couldn't have gone worse, and there simply isn't all that much hope on the horizon. The PA announcer should be imploring the front office to do what it's asked Sacramento's fans to do: Make some noise!