January 5, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie addresses the media during a press conference after naming Keith Smart (not pictured) head coach before the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Power Balance Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Given everything happening off the court, you wouldn’t think the Sacramento Kings would be very active in the trade market – and while they might stray clear once all is said and done, their pending sale to the Seattle based Hansen-Balmer group isn’t going to put a hold on improving the team.

Everybody’s favorite former Sacramento scribe Sam Amick, when poised with the question about potential King moves, essentially stated that the Kings are indeed open to potential makes – but with one caveat – no payroll will be added:

Yes, if it doesn’t add to payroll RT @aykis16: @sam_amick Is anyone even “on-limits” with the pending sale?

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 5, 2013

Essentially, it’s the same old, same old for the Kings going into the NBA’s trade deadline – they’re open to a move (assuming somebody wakes Geoff Petrie from his slumber), but it needs to be cost effective, which makes a trade extremely difficult given their desired parts are generally still on their rookie deals.

Potential franchise altering deals aren’t to be had, so if you do happen to see any moves, they’ll be the typical nickle and dime type moves. Yipee.

Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Before Nene Hilario was sent to the Washington Wizards in a three team deal, the Denver Nuggets did their best to attempt to cash in on a percieved discounted Kings sale, offering up Nene in exchange for the Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins.

The offer was apparently a few weeks/months back.

Per Sam Amick:

And Denver’s “buyer’s remorse” on Nene, as @KBergCBS called it, very real: Source says Kings rebuffed Nugs’ attempt at Nene-Cousins swap

Yeah, sure, Denver. Sure.