Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-US PRESSWIRE

With a void at small forward and money to spend, many assumed the Sacramento Kings would be interested in Blazers restricted free agent, Nicolas Batum. Geoff Petrie had all but spelled out their intentions on Batum and other restricted free agents, but the Kings’ desire for the Lisieux native apparently wasn’t mutual. While a handful of teams were on Batum’s radar according to his agent Bouna Ndiaye, Sacramento apparently wasn’t one of them:

Before the free agency period began, Ndiaye said they had four teams circled as potential suitors: Toronto, New Orleans, Minnesota, and San Antonio.

Granted, this was before the free agency period began. However, given Batum’s extremely quick interest in the Timberwolves (within two days) and the fact that they didn’t mention Sacramento prior to the free agency period, fully knowing the Kings void at the three and available funds, one could reasonably assume there was a lack of interest.

That all said, this shouldn’t be taken as the insult it appears to be on the surface.

Batum, who has strong relationships with both Ricky Rubio and Tony Parker, appears to have a desire to play with talent with whom he already has a relationship with. The same can be said for current Hornets head coach Monty Williams, who was an assistant for the Blazers during Batum’s first two seasons. In addition to a desire for close ties, their ease of access (Toronto, Minneapolis) to his home country of France seems to be a sticking factor as both have direct flights.

It was a long shot for the Kings to sign Batum, but now we have a better understanding of why the two sides never seemed to get much further than a phone call – and it’s tough to blame the Kings for this one.

Innnn West Philadelphia - Born N' Raised...

As soon as the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted point guard Johnny Flynn last night, all hell broke loose. Rubio nor his camp was thrilled at the selection, and made sure to let everybody know. Rubio himself said he’s not sure if he’ll be playing in the NBA this year and his father has stated that he will be returning to Europe to play basketball this season and maybe longer. Rubio’s agent Dan Fegan has not commented yet, but he made it well known he did not want Rubio playing in Minnesota. And if you remember correctly, Fegan is the agent of New Jersey Nets power forward Yi Jianlian who demanded a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks shortly after being drafted, which was eventually granted. In other words? Dan Fegan is not a guy you want do mess around with if you’re a franchise…as he will box you into a corner.

So that leaves me in the idea that Fegan  is going to force a trade sooner than later, but the question looms to who.

After thinking about it last night, a swap of Kevin Martin and Ricky Rubio really makes some sense for both the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Despite what many will say, the Kings new draft pick Tyreke Evans is not a point guard and at best is a combo guard playing the point guard position. On the flip side, the Timberwolves drafted their point guard in Johnny Flynn with the sixth pick but lack a talented shooting guard to take pressure off of Al Jefferson. Both players fit a very needed role for both squads and with Kevin Martin’s semi low salary (around 10 million), a potential trade would not be that difficult to compose.

A quick look at a lineup change for both squads:

Minnesota Timberwolves

C – Al Jefferson

PF – Kevin Love

SF -  Corey Brewer

SG – Kevin Martin

PG – Johnny Flynn

Sacramento Kings

C – Spencer Hawes

PF – Jason Thompson

SF – Andres Nocioni

SG – Tyreke Evans

PG – Ricky Rubio

The deal almost makes too much sense for both teams, and while it might set Sacramento back a touch currently – the future looks incredibly bright with that starting five….as does Minnesota’s.