If home is where the heart is, then the Kings are currently homeless.

That's how Mikki Moore sees it, anyway.

A day after the Kings' 45-point loss to Boston – their worst home loss in franchise history and 11th in their last 13 games at Arco Arena – the team's veteran forward became the unofficial spokesman for frustrated fans.

"I wouldn't say we've quit, but it's like the wind is kicked out of us if we're down points going into halftime," Moore said after Monday's practice. "And it's frustrating, because we come in and we've got our heads down.

"Nobody's fired up. I try to get people fired up, but it's hard to get people fired up if you just don't have enough heart to go out there and compete. That's something you can't teach."

The loss was the Kings' worst since Nov. 2, 1991, when they fell by 62 points (153-91) at Golden State.

After the 108-63 loss to the Celtics, Moore said a relative made him look at the team's recent futility in a different light.

"I have a father-in-law who's paralyzed from the waist down, and (Sunday) night he said, 'Y'all are trying to build a house, and you're trying to put a roof on the house (first). You have the nails and the hammer, but you've got no ladder,' " Moore said. "I didn't understand what he was saying at first, but what he's saying is that the ladder is your enthusiasm.

"You can have all your tools that you've been working on since high school, college, whatever, but if you don't have that ladder, that enthusiasm, then none of the rest is going to matter."

Kings swingman Francisco García agreed the performance continues to fall short of realistic expectations based on the team's talent level despite injuries.

"Everything starts with the starters," said García, who sat out the second half because of right calf stiffness but will start tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers. "It (doesn't) have nothing to do with the guys on the bench or anything. We have to come with more energy and be focused more. There's no way the Celtics are 45 points (better) in our house. It shouldn't be like that. We should've played with a little more pride. All of us, including myself. We've just got to find a way."

Still, changes may be on the horizon because of the Kings' dire status.

According to numerous league sources, interest in a trade for center Brad Miller has been lukewarm and might take some time to heat up as the February trade deadline approaches. As a result, the Kings are believed to have expanded their list of available players since the season's outlook is so grim.

The one player consistently producing – swingman John Salmons – could be among those offered merely because he could command the most in return. The relevant question, of course, is whether the Kings see him as part of the long-term solution.

Salmons, 29, has three seasons and $16.3 million remaining on his contract. That includes a player option for the 2010-11 season worth $5.8 million. He is averaging career highs in points (19.7), field-goal percentage (49.3) three-point percentage (40.9) and minutes (36.9).

Kings interim coach Kenny Natt, meanwhile, continues his quest to change the culture of the team, which had grown lax under former coach Reggie Theus. According to numerous team sources, Natt's demand for increased professionalism has led to at least five fines for players being late to practice since he took over Dec. 15.

Moore, an 11-year pro in the NBA and overseas, said his teammates should never lack for inspiration.

"There's how many people in the world, 10 billion?" he said. "And there's only 300 people in the NBA. Wouldn't you have enough pride to go out there and compete? (I'm) not even saying (how) you're getting paid to do it, that it's your job, that's your 9 to 5, (that) you get a check for this. You could be on the corner slinging dope or at KFC working a drive-thru or the post office. (I'm) not even saying that. Wouldn't you have enough pride to say, 'Well, I'm one of the 300 people who's in the NBA,' and go out there and compete for your recognition? That's how I feel about it."

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