Patterson, 23, is more productive than Robinson right now. He's averaging 16 points and 6.5 rebounds per 36 minutes and shooting 51 percent from the floor with an eFG of .557. For comparison's sake, Robinson is averaging 11 and 10.6 per 36 and shooting 42 percent from the floor with a .424 eFG. (For players with zero three-point makes, FG% and eFG are interchangeable.) So not only is Patterson fairly efficient on two-pointers (56 percent), but he can hit the three, shooting 35-96 (36.5 percent) this season.

Defensively, Patterson doesn't have a great reputation, though it's so hard to tell with young players and the Kings aren't on the verge of being even respectable at that end. He could be good, he could be bad. Robinson could be great on defense. He's already OK. Or not embarrassing, at least. It's a low bar to clear in Sacramento.

There's also the unavoidable matter of Boogie. Cousins and Patterson are very close; they were teammates at Kentucky, and it's been said that Pat-Pat was a big brother of sorts. This is indisputably good, but also indisputably immeasurable. We have no idea if the positive effect on Cousins will outweigh the potential concession on talent and potential.

Welcome to Sacramento, Patrick. Hope you're here a long time, because that will mean that the Kings will be here a long time and also that you turned out to be a keeper.