Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

J.J. Hickson was all set to become a member of the Golden State Warriors after being “bought out” by the Sacramento Kings earlier this week. All he had to do was clear waivers and it was game on, J.J. could join Mark Jackson and crew. Hickson and his agent were so confident he wouldn’t be claimed off waivers, he traveled to New Orleans to meet the Warriors as they were ready to take on the Hornets. But then the phone rang and Hickson had been claimed by the Portland Trailblazers, a move that will save the Kings upwards of $500,000-$600,000 bucks per James Ham.

Ben Golliver of Blazers Edge was able to get a small interview with the former Kings knucklehead where he discussed how “it just wasn’t a good situation for him”:

“Keith Smart and the coaching staff were cool. All of my ex-teammates were cool. It just wasn’t working out. I don’t think that was a good situation for me, myself or for the team. We thought it was best for me to get up out of there and that’s what happened. They bought me out. It’s no love lost. I wish those guys the best of luck. Now I’m a Trail Blazer and I’m really excited.”

Hickson, who clearly wasn’t happy in Sacramento (or Cleveland, for that matter) is doing his best to bite his lip as we’ve seen in both interviews with Golliver and Jon Santiago of Cowbell Kingdom, but it’s increasingly obvious that Hickson values himself far more than, well, anybody.

Have a gander here:

“I would say — being able to switch out on defense. Being able to switch pick and rolls. Being able to keep a point guard in front of me, or a two guard or a three in front of me. As far as offense, being able to get the rebound, outlet, and get down the floor. It’s something they are missing. I’m just a piece of the puzzle and I’m looking to contribute and make the playoffs.”

Nothing like an early morning laugh to start off your day.

Damn shame the Kings lost out on a 39-time All-Star talent.

Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

As reported last night by ArmanditoV , J.J. Hickson has received a buyout from the Sacramento Kings with confirmation from Yahoo’s Marc Spears:

JJ Hickson has completed a buyout with the Kings, league source tells Y!

Hickson, who was acquired shortly before the NBA locked out in exchange for Omri Casspi and a conditional first round pick struggled during his tenure in black and purple, putting up a putrid 4.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18 minutes a game.

The release comes as Hickson was to be entering restricted free agency and makes what appeared to be a solid trade at the time look even worse in reality.