<!--StartFragment-->

<!--StartFragment-->

via a.espncdn.com

Sacramento gave up: Brad Miller, John Salmons

Chicago gave up: Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, Michael Ruffin

Portland gave up: Ike Diogu and cash

Sacramento got: Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, Ike Diogu and cash

Chicago got: Brad Miller, John Salmons

Portland got: Michael Ruffin

SACRAMENTO

The Kings got their current starting SF and cap space. That was basically it. The Kings floundered the rest of the season as they tried to integrate all the new players and wound up with the worst record in the NBA.

This year, the Kings are a surprising 10-12, with quality wins despite being without Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia.

With the 2008 Bulls, Andres Nocioni averaged 13.7pts, 6rebs, 1.8 assists, with a .448 FG%, .441 on 3pters, and .763 from the FT line. This season, he is averaging 11.5pts, 4 rebs, 1.5 assists, .421 FG, .378 from 3point land, and .610 from the FT line.

There has been a significant dip in his numbers (especially the shooting percentages) but he has also gone from playing 31mins with the Bulls to 26mins with the Kings. Compared to his career averages, the dip isn't very notable, except for his FT average (11.8pts, 5rebs, 1.3 assist, .437 FG%, .373 from 3point land, .802 from the FT line.)

Drew Gooden signed with the Dallas Mavericks as a backup to Erick Dampier. Last year, Gooden averaged 9.4pts, 4.3rebs, .2 blocks, with a .461 FG%, 0-1 on 3pters, and .813 from the FT line for the Bulls, Kings and Spurs. This season, he is averaging 8.1pts, 6.7 rebs, 1.35 blocks, .431 FG, 0-3 from 3point land, and .763 from the FT line.

Compared to his career averages (11.9pts, 7.8rebs, .68 blocks, .470FG%, .214 from 3point land, .733 from the FT line.), Drew Gooden is having an okay year, given his diminished role with the Mavs.

Ike Diogu signed with the New Orleans Hornets but will undergo microfracture knee surgery, effectively ending his season. There was talk about signing him for the minimum after a stretch of explosive games late in the season but Sacramento decided to get a big man (Brockman) in the draft instead.

Cedric Simmons now plays for the Greek League Club Peristeri Athens.

Nocioni was the only holdover from this trade and, while he has been okay as the Kings' starting SF, his true value may only be realized WHEN he is finally traded for a legit big man who can bring shot blocking and tougher interior D to the Sacramento defense.

Still, he has had noteworthy moments when he turned the tide to the Kings' favor and we have to agree that he is partly responsible for maybe 2-3 Kings victories.

RATING: GOOD IDEA

CHICAGO

The Bulls got last year's starting SF and this year's starting SG (in the place of Ben Gordon) as well as their back up big man. The trade reaped immediate dividends for the Bulls, as they made a great showing in the playoffs, giving the Boston Celtics all they could handle in a 7 game classic. John Salmons and Brad Miller were integral to the Bulls' run and it seemed like the Bulls were on the way earning a place among the Eastern elite.

Unfortunately, the Bulls seemed to have lost all steam and have become exactly who they were before the trade happened. They are currently at 8-14, having lost 4 of their last 5 games and even losing one to the hapless New Jersey Nets.

With the 2008 Kings, John Salmons averaged 18.3pts, 4.2rebs, 3.7 assists, .472 FG%, .418 on 3pters, and .823 from the FT line. This season, he is averaging 13.8pts, 3.6 rebs, 2.5 assists, .385 FG%, .327 from 3point land, and .761 from the FT line.

While his performance this year has been decidedly uninspired compared to last year, he really hasn't fallen by a lot, considering his career averages. (9pts, 3rebs, 2.4 assist, .444 FG%, .358 from 3point land, .797 from the FT line.)

Brad Miller, on the other hand, averaged 11.9pts, 8rebs, 3.4 assists, .474 FG%, .465 on 3pters, and .801 from the FT line for the 2008 Kings. This season, he is averaging 7.9pts, 4.7 rebs, 2.2 assists, .420 FG%, .200 from 3point land, and .833 from the FT line. It's a steeper drop but we have to take into account that his role has changed with the Bulls.

Still, it's a far cry from his career averages of 12pts, 7.7rebs, 3 assists, .486 FG%, .322 from 3point land and .802 from the FT line.

So, yes, Salmons and Miller have both not played as well for the Bulls as they did for last year's Kings. Are they the reasons the Bulls have fallen by so much? They're part of the problem but not the main culprits. I think the loss of Ben Gordon, the deterioration of Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas and the idiocy of Vinnie del Negro are more to blame. But Salmons and Miller sure don't help.

RATING: SO-SO IDEA.

PORTLAND

Michael Ruffin is now a free agent. The Blazers, clearly, just wanted to get rid of Ike Diogu, and considered Ruffin a cheap price to pay.

RATING: BARELY AN IDEA