A Mike Bibby-to-the-Lakers deal reportedly fell apart last spring, alternately because the Maloofs didn't want to help the Lakers and because the trade offer sucked. Los Angeles almost assuredly needs help to make any sort of a run this year, and friend-o'-StR Kurt from Forum Blue & Gold describes his preferred options:

That second scenario sounds a bit like Ron Artest, no? Ron-Ron actually might fit into either scenario; his defense and versatile scoring might help L.A. more than Odom's offense and rebounding does. I think in either case, however, Petrie would be looking to unload a contract as well. Dollar-wise, that'd need to be the case in the first scenario as Odom makes $6 million more than Artest. While I'd be thrilled with, say, Artest and Kenny Thomas for Odom and <Jordan Farmar or Javaris Crittenton>, I can't see the Lakers pulling the trigger.(And why would I be thrilled? Odom's a talented offensive player who has responded best through his career to a stern coach [Stan Van Gundy], and his big deal comes off the books in 2009, the same year as Mike Bibby's. That would make the Kings HUGE players in the market that summer, with only Brad Miller and Kevin Martin taking up major chunks of 2009-10 cash.)

Again, I don't see it… and neither does Mike Bresnaham of the Los Angeles Times, who says the Lakers wouldn't give up anyone of consequence for Artest. I'd assume Kwame Brown would fall under 'not of consequence,' but Artest for an expiring and even a pick doesn't get the job done. He has plenty of value in the market, I'd surmise.

But most of us expect the Kings to do something; almost everyone expect the Lakers to do something at some point. While Andrew Bynum's (rightfully) off the table, so are guys like Jason Kidd. Petrie, through his patience, has remained in a position of strength — he doesn't have to trade either Artest or Bibby now. Other teams, like the Lakers, are in no such position to be patient. If nothing major happens before then, the second week of February is going to be a helluva time. At some point, Kenny Thomas might not look like such a terrible cost for someone aiming for the championship. We can hope, at least.