The Kings traded veteran guard Mike Bibby to the Atlanta Hawks for guards Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue and forwards Lorenzen Wright and Shelden Williams and a 2008 second-round draft pick, the team confirmed Saturday afternoon.
The deal was made official after an earlier teleconference between the two teams and league officials.
Justin Williams and Dahntay Jones were placed on waivers to make room for the new players.
"I want to thank Mike for his terrific all around play," said Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie in a statement released by the team. "He's had a great run here as a King and has participated in and contributed to some great moments on the court and I wish him all the best."
When reached Saturday morning, Bibby said he was a bit surprised to hear Atlanta was the destination, but not that he was going to be traded.
"I had some good times here in Sacramento," said Bibby, who became known with the Kings as one of the league's better clutch shot-makers. "Sometimes you need a change and you never know where that might take you. I just prayed and asked for what might be the best for my family and this is what happened, so you can't question it.
"I'll always have love for the people in Sacramento, the Maloofs and (basketball president) Geoff (Petrie)."
Dallas and New Jersey this week worked out a trade that would send point guards Jason Kidd to the Mavericks and Devin Harris to the Nets as the central figures. However, the trade has not been able to get league approval because of a contract situation involving Dallas swingman Devean George.
The reasons behind the deal for the Kings and the Hawks are clear and different. Atlanta is a young team attempting to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1998-99 season. Sacramento, meanwhile, is trying to clear salary cap space to become a player on the free-agency market as well as increasing its ability to make trades. Each of the players acquired by the Kings has an expiring contract.
Atlanta makes its only visit to Sacramento on Wednesday, when Bibby will likely be in the starting lineup. The Hawks begin their post All-Star game stretch Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. His departure removes the final piece from the Kings core that consistently challenged to make the NBA Finals during the first half of this decade, but never could get over the hump.
For more on this story, read Sam Amick's blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs
