This trade is a complete sham no matter how you choose to look at it. The Kings got marginally better this season, if at all, at the expense of the future.
Patterson is an alright player, but nothing special. He doesn't make the Kings a playoff team this season, so why do it? The Kings should be building toward the next 2-3 seasons and Thomas Robinson helps you do that more than Patterson. In his 3rd season already, Patterson isn't likely to get a whole lot better while Robinson could very well do just that.
Regardless, you don't give up on a top 5 pick a mere 51 games into his rookie season. I don't care how underwhelming Robinson has been, it's just not smart. Let's not forget that part of Robinson's struggles may very well have to do with the dysfunctional franchise and clueless coach that he plays for, which can't seem to develop young players or even play them in the correct positions. As a recent example, look no further than J.J. Hickson whose value was so low after playing here for less than a full season that he was untradable and was eventually released. He since went on to Portland, rejuvenated his career and now has several teams wanting to trade for him.
If Robinson was part of a package that actually landed the Kings a borderline marquee player, I could understand moving him. But for Patrick Patterson? This move was about saving money for the Maloofs, as it didn't really make the team better for the rest of this season and it likely didn't make them better looking ahead 2-3 seasons from now.
Lastly, as if most here don't already know this, Grant Napear is a complete tool. This guy backs anything this stupid franchise does. Not only is he claiming that Patterson is worlds better than Robinson (really? What's he done?), but he's ok with the owners putting money in their pocket as a result. Seriously? Owning a pro sports team is not about making trades that directly put more money in your pocket. It's about making moves that improve your team. Doing so puts more money in your pocket indirectly as more fans want to come out and pay to see your team. If the New York Yankees did business like this, he'd be ripping them a new one. But since this is the franchise that signs his checks, he toes the line even though they won't be his bosses next season. That guy seriously needs to grow a pair.
Lastly, this organization has been making moves like the one they apparently made today for the past 8 or so years. How's that been working out?
