The Kings ranked last in home attendance last season, barely a year removed from 354 consecutive sellouts.  A franchise that retired the No. 6 in honor of its die-hard fans sure picked a bad time to have its worst season.  Prior to 2008, Sacramento sold out a staggering 873 out of 922 games since moving from Kansas City in 1985, but as recognizable names like Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic began to be replaced by a collection of cast-offs playing for their next contracts, the once loyal crowds were suddenly littered with empty seats. 

It's no coincidence that the Kings' best seasons, when Sacramento was ranked in the upper-echelon in attendance and national TV appearances, were highlighted by stellar point guard play.  Sports Illustrated called Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson "the perfect point guard" combination in 2003, and even Sacramento's surprising 38-win season in 2007-08 was accentuated by Beno Udrih's breakout campaign. Unfortunately, the Kings took a big step backward last year, and another season of Beno is another season, well, down the drain-o.  Here's an early look at the most attractive names on the free agent market who might be worth exploring.

Allen Iverson, Detroit: When the 76ers put Iverson on the trading block during the 2006-07 season, I was secretly hoping that the Kings would make a serious play for his services. Sure, a point guard notorious for taking more bad shots than Chief Wiggum wasn't the Answer for a struggling franchise, but there's just something about having a player who's capable of exploding for 50 points and carrying the team on his back on any given night. A lot has changed in the last three years. After coming off a disastrous season in which he was demoted to the bench and eventually sent home for the playoffs, Iverson's stock has dropped further than Bear Stearns, and his diva-like presence would hinder the development of the Kings' youth movement. Unless the Maloofs become desperate to sell more tickets and merchandise (which can't be ruled out), I'd rather just stick with Beno. That was downright painful to write.

Andre Miller, Philadelphia: All Miller's done is improve every team he's played for over the course of his career (with the exception of the Clippers, but come on). A youthful 33, he's an experienced veteran who knows how to bring the best out of his teammates. What would attract Miller to Sacramento? I have no idea. Let's move on — it's not happening.

Article Author: doktakra

Alex Kramers is the editor of doktakra.com, a site about nothing, and is one of the writers on the basketball humor blog, lowposts.com. He enjoys reminiscing about old school Sacramento Kings teams, fantasizing about Candace Parker, and dreaming of world peace.
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