Trade Tyreke Evans today. It's the right thing to do.

So let's see where we are after the most pivotal free-agent/trading period in Kings history.

Nowhere.

That's right.  Absolutely nowhere.

After years of pointing to this season as the year for big deals and big trades and free-agent signings, the Kings find themselves in possibly worse position than they were a year ago.

They have no point guard.  In fact, they have nobody with even an inkling of how to distribute.

They have no shot blocker, unless they can somehow convince Samuel Dalembert to return to the fold.  Which also means they have no defense.  J.J. Hickson is not considered a strong defensive player.  DeMarcus Cousins was a disaster on defense last year.  And those two, ladies and gentlemen, are the team's big-man stoppers.

They have no small forward.  At least no small forward that can take the team to the next level.  John Salmons?  Please.  Still one of the worst transactions in recent NBA history.

Now the Chuck Hayes tragedy was certainly not the team's fault, but let's face it:  Hayes wasn't going to turn the team into contenders.  He would have been a nice piece and a fan favorite, but he wasn't going to change the team's fortunes.

So what to do now?

Well, there's only one thing you can do.

TRADE TYREKE EVANS.

Trade him today.  Before he turns his next ankle.  Before he bullrushes into the lane again to throw up another ill-advised runner.  Before he ignores his teammates on fast breaks.  Before people in the league begin to figure out he's not really as good as his rookie hype.

Get me a point guard with skills.  Someone who can set up Jimmer and Thornton.  Get me a big man who will have opponents thinking twice in the lane.

Here's one target: How about Rajon Rondo of the Celtics.  Boston has been trying to move him for the last month.  He'd be perfect for the Kings.

This team, as currently constructed, is headed for disaster.  In fact, I have no idea what Geoff Petrie is thinking. Even in the land of the Timberwolves, they have assembled a team that actually makes sense.  Love. Rubio. Johnson.  That's a nice foundation.  The pieces are beginning to come together.

Here, in the land of the Kings,  Petrie has put together a no-defense team of chuckers.

It's sad, really.

And I don't expect it to get much better.

Unless, of course, I hear some juicy Tyreke rumors.

Time for Kings to go all-in with big offer to Gasol

No more sitting on the sidelines while the rest of the NBA wheels and deals.

It's time for Geoff Petrie to pull off a major coup.  And now that the new labor agreement forces the dirt-poor Maloofs into spending more dough, it's time to think big.  Really big.

My suggestion: Throw a ton of stupid money at Memphis restricted free agent center Marc Gasol.

He is easily the most talented and valuable free agent available on the market.  He's a young, talented center who would fit marvelously next to DeMarcus Cousins.

Make the Grizzlies match a ridiculous offer.  Make them squirm.  Make them do something they don't want to do: Sign Gasol to a silly deal.

So, you're asking yourself, why would the Kings want to make a silly deal?

Because they can.

Because they have the cap space.

Because they need to spend.

Because they need to make themselves relevant in the NBA again.

Because they can't wait yet another year.

Yes, it could backfire, but I'd rather see them take a big swing than bunt again.

This is the year that was promised to Kings fans.  This was when they were going to come out slugging and go after free agents.

So go do it.

Now.

No more excuses.

Notice the Kings are barely registering on the NBA rumor mill.  Why is that?  They should be involved in every trade rumor, every free agent rumbling.

So make it happen. No more money wasted on the likes of Samuel Dalembert or Marcus Thornton.  Combine their salary offers and make Gasol an offer he can't refuse.

Geoff Petrie deserves a lot of the blame for the awful mess of a team

Okay, fans, this is the easiest quiz you'll have to take.

Which person in the Kings organization seems to go year-to-year and never absorb a hint of criticism, yet he hasn't presided over a winning team since 2005-06?

Which person has chosen loser coaches with the names Musselman, Theus and Westphal?

Which person has gained the rep as a draft genius but, during 2005-2007 when the Kings desperately needed to keep the momentum of the fading glory days alive, drafted the likes of Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby and Spencer Hawes?

Which person hasn't made a team-changing trade since acquiring Brad Miller a decade ago?

What person has repeatedly given mid-level exceptions to hugely overrated stiffs like Mikki Moore? Yes, Mikki Moore.

Which person has been given a free pass from the fans for his cerebral approach, gentlemanly demeanor and subdued personality?

Which person has continually built teams with gaping holes and easy-to-spot weaknesses? Rebounding. Defense. Athleticism. The Kings haven't had any of those attributes in years and they still don't.

You know the guy, Kings fans.

And it's time he took the brunt of the blame for this gory mess of team.

Geoff Petrie, step right up and take a bow.

Because you've been awful.

That's right. Awful.

Look, there's no doubt the guy has financial constraints, but that's too easy an excuse for his dreary collection of innocuous moves over the past six seasons.

Petrie no longer collects winning pieces for a franchise anymore.

He simply collects a paycheck.

And that's not good enough.

Not for the Kings.

And not for the fans.