Credit: Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

Apparently, Bryan Colangelo and Geoff Petrie no longer have bed times because the two struck a deal in the middle of the night that sent James Johnson to the California State Capitol while the Kings send a 2014 second round pick back East, according to Sam Amick.

Johnson, a 6’9, 248lb tweener forward is a high quality defender who really came into his own last season in Toronto before mysteriously finding himself in a power struggle with Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. Despite the flare up, Johnson maintained his high quality play even though his minutes dipped as the season came to an end.

Johnson brings with him a handful of qualities the Kings lack, especially on the defensive side where he had a +2.5 defensive win share last season. In addition to the strong play on the defensive side of the ball, Johnson, unlike some small forwards we know too well, doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective.

On the downside, Johnson isn’t much of an outside shooter (or much of a shooter at all), shooting only 31% beyond the arc last year (which actually wasn’t all that bad considering what we watched from the small forward position last year, much worse in previous years). In addition to the less than stellar shot, Johnson does come with a bit of a reputation, something Petrie apparently loves to take a risk on given the unhappy talent he’s plucked away before.

The 16th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft should provide solid depth at the small forward spot for the Kings, but you have to wonder, is he that much better than Terrence Williams, who appears to be the loser in this situation? Now with a roster of 14 players (max of 15) and still in need of a backup PG, it appears the Kings have moved on from the former Louisville Cardinal barring a trade/amnesty, the latter of which being very unlikely.

Talent for, well, pick value, it’s a very good move for the Kings but expectations need to be tempered for Jones’ impact on the Kings. There’s no doubt he fills a need, but he’s still best suited as a role player – not that there is anything wrong with that.

The 25 year old is under contract for $2.8 million this year and will enter restricted free agency at season end with a qualifying offer of nearly $4 million.

For outside perspective on the trade, check out Raptors Republic and Raptors Rapture.

Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Trade speculation around the Sacramento Kings’ Tyreke Evans has and will continue to be rampant, after all, players of Evans’ caliber don’t hit the market very often. Despite his struggles, a 22 year old talent that combines the size and speed that Evans does is rarely seen on the trading block, not to mention, putting up stats (although inflated) that only Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and LeBron James did in their rookie years? That’s not exactly a tough sell.

But, like in most situations, opposing teams see a struggling Evans and want to lowball their offers. It’s good business for the opposition, but the Kings aren’t in panic mode – at least not yet, according to Sam Smith, who says the Kings are asking for quite the return in any Evans move:

A deal for Evans has been much speculated upon everywhere. But the Kings are said to want a lot and would hardly add the No. 5 pick with him. Maybe you get the pick for Noah. Hardly Evans and the pick. Maybe you get Evans and the pick for Noah and Deng, which would be ridiculous for the Bulls to do. It makes little sense for either side.

Speculation about Evans to the Bulls has been the hot topic in recent weeks, but it was a trade I never really understood for both sides. Derrick Rose and Evans seemed like an odd coupling from the start and while Deng does fit a need for the Kings, I’m not sure the price is right for Sacramento.