The other shoe fell on Saturday as the Kings sent Mike Bibby to the Hawks in exchange for three expiring contracts named Anthony Johnson (a former 2nd-round pick of the Kings), Lorenzen Wright, Tyronn Lue and the not yet expired Shelden Williams.

The move speaks to the simply embarrassing array of talent in the West and the fact that 50 wins might get you an April 21st tee time. I believe the Kings held out on any trades until it became quite clear that the playoffs were not a possibility. The Kings have been playing rather well of late, despite their three-game losing skid before the break. However, they would have to play near .700 ball from here on in to make the second season, so…make the move.

So ends the greatest team in Kings history. The names that brought our fine city within a referee conspiracy of a title have all gone away now. Bibby was the last clinging refuge of its glorious past. Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic, Bobby Jackson, Scot Pollard, Jon Barry, Gerald Wallace…all gone. It’s sad in a way, but it also signifies a rebirth.

The firesale, which I can only assume will include Ron Artest’s departure in the coming days, means a new era. The money received from dropping Johnson, Lue and Wright will open up room to be a big player in next year’s free agent bonanza. In case you haven’t noticed, this year’s batch might be the best in history.

A rundown of the possible talent waiting to be scooped up:

Restricted Free Agents

• Josh Smith, ATL
• Emeka Okafor, CHA
• Luol Deng, CHI
• Ben Gordon, CHI
• Monta Ellis, GS
• Andris Biedrins, GS
• Andre Iguodala, PHI
• Jose Calderon, TOR

Unrestricted Free Agents

• Allen Iverson, DEN
• Baron Davis, GS
• Jermaine O’Neal, IND
• Elton Brand, LAC
• Corey Maggette, LAC
• Ricky Davis, MIA
• Shawn Marion, MIA
• Gilbert Arenas, WSH
• Antawn Jamison, WSH

Give me any two of the players listed above and I’ll like my chances getting to the playoffs and soon.

With this trade comes the odd circumstance of the Hawks being the Kings first home opponent after the break on Wednesday. Likely starting that game will be Bibby. I hope the few people who still go to games give him a proper send-off.

As for the players the Kings got in return, only Williams is worth a damn. I think he will be worth keeping as he is a tremendous defender and good God do we need some of those.

I, too, was a little shocked to hear that the Hawks were the team to get Bibby. I had heard Miami, Dallas, Boston and a few others that seemed less likely. For the Hawks, assuming Bibby signs a deal there after the season, I think it’s a great move. They have talent there. And despite the fact that Atlanta shouldn’t have ANY professional sports teams, let alone four, a Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Al Horford and Mike Bibby core might bring fans number 73 and 74 into the arena down the road.

I will always have love for Mike Bibby. He hit the biggest shot in Sacramento history in game 5 against L.A. in 2002. To this day I remember the moment perfectly. Good luck to you, Mike, and thanks for the memories.