It was arguably the best performance in a Kings uniform thus far for Zach LaVine, who was acquired from the Chicago Bulls shortly before last week's trade deadline. LaVine finished the game with 22 points and helped “light the beam” after the game, alongside new teammates Jake LaRavia and Jonas Valaciunas.

On a day he could have re-energized his frustrated fan base with a strong show of leadership, Karnišovas essentially ceded control with one big, “We’ll see what happens.”

Inaction could not last forever. The Chicago Bulls finally made a move at the trade deadline after three consecutive years of standing pat, taking one more step forward toward a future vision of a rebuild.