NBA trades 2013: Kings criticized for Thomas Robinson-Patrick Patterson deal

The Sacramento Kings stopped while they were ahead, only making one trade at the deadline, dealing away Thomas Robinson - the No. 5 pick less than a year ago - for Patrick Patterson.

Patterson is definitely the better developed player now - the third-year player out of Kentucky is averaging 11.6 points - but Robinson has tons of upside. He averaged 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in about 6 minutes a game - per 40 minutes, that makes him a pretty strong rebounder even at this point in his career - while Patterson averages 4.7 rebounds in 25 minutes a game. They deal also includes the Kings giving up Francisco Garcia and Tyler Honeycutt while getting Cole Aldrich and Toney Douglas.

The reasoning? Money. They immediately dump $4 million in salary, and reportedly get $1 million in cash.

The trade was panned, arguably the last popular of the deadline. Mike Prada of SB Nation graded the deal as a D for the Kings, whileTom Ziller at Sactown Royalty had to say about the move:

On a personal note, I am livid about this trade. It seems the Maloofs and Petrie found a way to stick it to Kings fans at least one more time.

More in the NBA:

• Metta World Peace greets cops wearing Cookie Monster pajamas

• Magic trade J.J. Redick, 3 others at deadline

• Josh Smith staying in Atlanta after all

• Celtics make trade for backcourt help

• NBA's best trade was made four months ago

There was also talk of the Kings trading away Tyreke Evans, but the Maloofs decided against it, presumably to stave off full-blown riots in Sacramento.