A Royal Pain
Fansided

5 Players the Sacramento Kings never should have signed

By Elaine Blum

Jan 30, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) celebrates hitting a jump shot and getting fouled with teammate center Dewayne Dedmon (13) during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) celebrates hitting a jump shot and getting fouled with teammate center Dewayne Dedmon (13) during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 26: Troy Murphy #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers and J.J. Hickson #31 of the Sacramento Kings go for a loose ball at Power Balance Pavilion on December 26, 2011, in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 26: Troy Murphy #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers and J.J. Hickson #31 of the Sacramento Kings go for a loose ball at Power Balance Pavilion on December 26, 2011, in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

3. JJ Hickson

JJ Hickson was not a regular free agent signing. The Kings acquired him from the Cavaliers in the summer of 2011 in exchange for Omri Casspi and a protected draft pick. Hickson was still very young at the time of the trade and had just had a breakout season averaging 13.8 points and 8.7 rebounds.

It seemed like a promising move, but it was not. Once Hickson got to the Kings, he only averaged 4.7 points and 5.1 rebounds all the while making more money than Isaiah Thomas who was the team’s fourth leading scorer. Hickson only lasted 35 games with the Kings. Disappointed in his production and unable to find a good trade, the Kings bought out his contract in March 2012.

By now Hickson has been playing overseas since the 2016-17 season. He has been on teams in China, Lebanon, and Puerto Rico. Knowing all this, it is easy to say that the Kings never should have gone after Hickson, and even though they did not technically sign him, that earned him a spot on this list.

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