Brooks is certainly a better playmaker than Head … but is positively Benoesque on defense. And, truth be told, he's not likely that much of a better playmaker than Udrih. (Their career assist rates are identical, meaning that each has a shoot-or-pass ratio roughly equal.) In fact, Brooks is only a nominally better shooter than Udrih. Basically, the Kings would be trading for "slightly better Beno who still is a problem on defense." That ain't getting it done, and I can't imagine why the Kings need that right now. (Brooks is cheaper than Beno now, but won't be when he reaches free agency — restricted though it may be — this summer.)

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* Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey is a bad shooter right now, but should be a better a defender than Beno or Brooks. A Stuckey-Evans backcourt might put some dents into the ARCO Arena hardwood, but the playmaking would be improved over Head-Evans, and Stuckey is just 24 years old and approaching what should be a fairly cheap restricted free agency.

* Jose Calderon. Calderon has the same defensive problems that Beno has, and comes with the added problem that the Kings would have to send Udrih to Toronto to acquire Calderon, as well as one more negative: Jose is more expensive than Udrih. But the Spaniard is a great passer and a solid long-range shooter, and that's two of the three things (+ defense) the Kings need from Evans' backcourt mate. If Petrie wants to boost the offense at all costs, Calderon would help a bunch.

* Mo Williams. Read Calderon's entry again. Williams is a few million cheaper overall. If Cleveland wants help cleaning the books, Williams shouldn't cost an asset beyond cap relief and Milwaukee's second round pick. But again, you're sacrificing defense (and cap space going forward) for much-improved playmaking and (theoretically) shooting.

And finally, my dream scenario (other than that whole time-machine-fix-the-lottery-John-Wall-dance scheme):

This team needs a playmaker, a defender, a scorer, a leader. But most of all, this team and its star need a mentor like Billups. I honestly can't think of a better fit for the Kings than him right now.