Every year, Dec 25th rolls around, and for many, it's usually about being with family, and receiving gifts around the tree. Unfortunately, some of holiday cheer has a damper put on the season with the wear & tear of living over the course of a 365 calender year. With that being said, it's always nice to know that StR, open as always, is around for all of us regardless of our plans or beliefs. That is a Christmas present, even if there isn't any pine needles around to stick us with. So, thanks, to everyone in StR. (Yeah, even you CC & lttg. As annoying as both of you can be sometimes.)

Anyways, this statement by Fo Tree (For Three) got me thinkin, what exactly would I like to see in a Brad Miller trade, or in any trade for that matter? And what players would I like, and would any of them be attainable. Of course, as he pointed out as well, I can't want Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, or some guy in Cleveland that some folks think is pretty good. (Yall can have him. I just want Dwight.) Anyway, I think it's a thoughtful challenge, and I'm going to do my best to come up with 3 names, which doesn't include Mike Conley Jr. Maybe along the way, I'll add to my reasons on why I don't want G-Dub, and perhaps take a dump on the good ship Kings too. Should be a stinky hot mess. Which would be a relief after a week & half of snow. (Well, for me anyway. And, for those who live in Snow all winter: Shut it.)

Gotta give partial credit to CC on this one. He's been mentioning Brandon Bass for weeks, and while I think he's lost his mind the way Jackson Pollock did while on acid and snorting coke at the same time, when talking about any possibility of pursuing a Devin Harris trade last season, perhaps the Bass angle is just really what the Kings should do. So what's my trade suggestion? Brandon Bass, JJ Barea, and Antoine Wright for Shelden Williams, Quincy Douby and Bobby Brown. Now, I like Brown, but I also like Barea, and Brown is cheaper. Plus, Douby and Williams expiring contracts also work for the Mavericks. I would include Devean George in this deal, but after last year's debacle where he forced the Mavs to re-work the trade for Jason Kidd, I don't think he will allow himself to be included in another trade. I like Barea, and I like Bass, but I question whether the Mavs would give either up for Cap space. They're both young, and the Mavs will have some flexibility next season. But will that do anything for the Mavs? I would really love to be willing to get either Barea, or Bass, but I doubt the Mavs do this. (Of course, maybe they would be willing to give up one, and not the other.)

So I'm going to suggest a modified version of this trade. Brandon Bass for the Kings trade exception they got for Ron Artest, and 2 2nd rounders. Or, a future top 20 protected first, or something like that. That could work as well. (Unfortunately, with the Kings have 2 trade exceptions, they could actually acquire Barea, however, you can't combine trade exceptions to acquire a player, you can only use one exception on one player.) Unfortunately, that also means the Kings have to open up a roster spot. So, who do the Kings buy out? Kenny Thomas? Mikki Moore? Do they cut Bobby Brown? Quincy Douby? Ah, there's the ticket. You cut Quincy. Or you cut Shelden. But I'm betting you cut Quincy off the roster, and you say, bon voyage. Thanks a lot kid. Good luck on the next stop. if the Knicks pick you up, good luck. And that sorta thing. (One pointer to remember--like what happened with Justin Williams being waived when the Bibby trade happened--is that the Kings have to have a roster spot open, and with 15 currently, they don't.) But, even with all that said, would you as a Kings fan trade Houston's 1st rounder to get Bass? I would, in fact I know I would. It would help Dallas, and the Kings could always spend the money to get Bass. Of course, that's just one option.

Check out some of Bass's #'s as per ESPN: He's scoring 7 1/2 pts, grabbing just over 4 boards, nearly 1 1/2 offensive, turns the ball just over once a game, and commits just under 2 fouls a night, and all this in 18 mins a game. That's pretty damn good for a guy coming off the bench, even for a team like Dallas. He's even shooting 83% from the line. He doesn't shoot 3's (thank god). Maybe the biggest negative is that he is "only" shooting 48% on FG. But, even with that being said, his eFG is: .482, and his TS% is .530. So, yeah, I want Bass. Per 36: He gets nearly 15 a game, and gets just over 8 boards a game. So, yeah, I want Brandon Bass. He isn't sexy, or doesn't jump off a lot of tongues, but as I said at the start of this, a hat tip goes to CC for noticing. I would say the only negative about his game is that he doesn't pass much, or block many shots or get his hands on any balls. But we are talking about a bench big, and Brandon Bass is pretty damn effective at it. More so, I dare say, than Mr Snake Charm guy.

You countin Fo Tree? That's one. Mr. Brandon Bass.

Brad Miller has been really popular in every trade rumor surrounding the Kings, but one thing I would like to point out. Doing a deal with Cleveland will be difficult. So, maybe perhaps, the Kings should do a deal this way. Mikki Moore and Quincy Douby for JJ Hickson and Anderson Varejao. I'm not really high on Varejao, but then again, I'm not interested in Mikki Moore either. Or perhaps, the Kings could waive Douby, trade Shelden Williams and Moore, for Lorenzen Wright (is that even legal contemplating another trade for him to the Kings), Varejao and Hickson. Truthfully, I think the KIngs should consider waiving either Varejao or Wright, or both. But, then again, that's me. Especially if you can get Brandon Bass. But, that's my preferred option, and I'm not sure Dallas will ever bother with doing that. This is one "backup".

Everyone around here knows I'm hot to trot for MIke Conley, and while I don't believe he was picked 4th because he played with Greg Oden like some, I do like his abilities, and believe he's got a strong future in the league. But, I do have a backup to Conley, and perhaps you've heard of Mr Raymond Felton. I would like to get my hands on Felton, and unfornutately Mr Pornstache--Adam Morrison--even if that means giving up Beno Udrih (hehe), and John Salmons. I still think Beno is in the wrong system, and I don't think Felton is a long term answer for the Bob's either. Beno, despite what he isn't doing for the Kings, is signed to a reasonable contract for some years down the road, and despite what many around here believe isn't a great contract, the Bobcats at some point have to play with what they have. Ultimately, I think Beno could fit in either Charlotte or Memphis with the types of players they have, and I also believe playing for Larry Brown could help him (tuhn the cornah Bayno! play tha wight weh bayno!) by just ragging on him a lot.

So there you have it Fo Tree, There's 3 guys I"m interested in. Brandon Bass, JJ HIckson, and Raymond Felton. (None of which are Mike Conley right?) You wanted em, you got 'em. Now I'm aware that many people would like Gerald Wallace, and I'll just suggest reading this as my rebuttal as to why I don't think G-Dub would help a team much especially when this group is struggling with ball movement. So, yeah, I like Brandon Bass a lot, especially as a backup PF. Even if he doesn't pass as well as one would hope, or even to the extent that Felton isn't a great shooter, I don't care. Felton needs a different circumstance, and the Cats ain't it. The other thing about Hickson is that he's young, and has potential to be a Brandon Bass "like" player. Do I think any of those trades can happen? Maybe, especially if the Kings toss in that 1st rounder, but even then, I don't know that the Kings can move Beno with the way he is playing. One can hope I suppose, but I doubt it.