Kings will reportedly test DeMarcus Cousins' trade market: 6 landing spots
Six teams who would make sense as possible landing spots for Boogie as the Kings reportedly grow tired of his mood swings and disrespectful behavior.
By
Matt Moore
•
5 min read
The Sacramento Kings have long resisted the idea of trading DeMarcus Cousins. Rumors first popped up a year ago before the draft, and the under-the-radar story was that George Karl was thought to be leaking rumors about a potential deal, and that later Cousins' agent was fueling them in a lash-out response. Eventually Vlade Divac got things back under control and the team re-asserted that they were not moving Cousins under any circumstances.
That's continued despite several outbursts from Cousins. Finally, the team disciplined Cousins (after failing to do so in two prior incidents) for screaming at Karl (then his coach) during a game. Karl was finally, mercifully fired after the season and the team is looking for a new coach.
However, there does appear to be a shift in tone around the team when it comes to Cousins. Whereas before, the line had always been that Cousins was untouchable, there's now a sense that Divac may finally be ready to start examining potential deals due to not only Cousins' behavior, but the fact that, reportedly, his teammates don't like him.
From the Sacramento Bee:
The most interesting takeaway from the media session might be what the Kings’ top basketball executive failed to say. When asked if Karl’s termination meant he is committed to Cousins, who clashed repeatedly and angrily with Karl, Divac was uncharacteristically evasive.
“Anything about the players and how we are going to do in the summer,” he said, “I don’t want to talk about right now because our focus is to find a new coach.”
A year ago, Cousins was untouchable. A year later, the sense within the organization is Divac is tempted by the prospect of pairing his center with his personally selected coach but that he has become increasingly frustrated by his center’s ongoing issues and, for the first time, is willing to test the market for the two-time All-Star.
Karl has plenty of company. The disconnect between Karl and Divac, and Karl and Cousins, is rivaled closely by the discord within the fragmented locker room. Apart from Rondo, Cousins has few friends among his teammates. Several players privately have complained to management about his mood swings and disrespect for those around him, including his coaches and in particular Karl.
Source: Ailene Voisin: Kings shouldn’t hire coach to accommodate Cousins | The Sacramento Bee.
Karl clashed with Cousins consistently. It's not out of the realm of possiblity by any means for this info to have come either through him or as a result of things he's informed people. The Kings are one leaky boat, and it's hard to figure out whose agenda is driving what information. There's enough noise there you need CIA experts to decipher all the traffic.
However, there does appear to be a pattern that vibes with this report. First, the team disciplines Cousins for the outburst, a move that was against their established position of backing him no matter what. Then, there's Divac's comments at media availability. Now the report. That's enough to suggest that there's smoke there. The problem is that even if there's fire in terms of a shifting sentiment, that doesn't mean that they will trade Cousins. They have to get a deal that is going to knock their socks off ... or Cousins is going to have to ask out because he's tired of everything that has gone on in Sacramento for six years.
Let's say the team and Cousins did both decide that a divorce is what's best for both parties. Here's a quick look at possible candidates.
Boston Celtics: This is an obvious destination. Eastern Conference sub-contender, great coach who everyone loves, grand tradition as a franchise, good supporting talent and multiple assets they can afford to spend to get Cousins. They need a star, Cousins needs a strong cultural organization, it works. The problems lie with the fact that Danny Ainge has made comments before about how if there are locker room problems with a guy he doesn't necessarily think it's worth it. Add on top of that Ainge's notorious habit of low-balling and it doesn't look great.
Houston Rockets: Hey, you've got a massive culture problem around defense and effort. Let's trade for DeMarcus Cousins! Still, Cousins bring talent and the nasty, and Daryl Morey values both. Harden and Cousins could become best of friends or clash constantly, that's impossible to tell. Whoever the Rockets hire as coach could determine much of this. The other problem is that Houston doesn't have much to trade with. The Rockets' pick goes to the Nuggets this year, and they're low on valuable prospects, as nice as Clint Capela and K.J. McDaniels are.
Miami Heat: It sounds crazy, but a sign-and-trade involving Hassan Whiteside might at least make some peripheral sense if Justise Winslow is also involved. That would get the Heat a major star and Pat Riley may feel his organization's discipline could hold Cousins in.
Denver Nuggets: The only coach Cousins has ever managed to get along with in the NBA was the fiery Michael Malone, now with the Nuggets. Denver has young players, veterans, multiple picks, and a huge need for superstar talent to use to try and get him if he's available. Cousins would thrive under Malone, and there's enough remaining talent in Denver for him not to be starting over with a rebuilding team.
Milwaukee Bucks: A small market squad in Milwaukee might not be glamorous, but if the Bucks were to pair Jabari Parker with Greg Monroe and some picks, all of a sudden the Kings have a nucleus of good young players and the Bucks have Cousins to put with Giannis Antetokounmpo and just overwhelm with size.
Los Angeles Lakers: There's always the possibility of going back to the well they were at last summer. Trading D'Angelo Russell after his foibles with Nick Young would be understandable now, especially after a disappointing rookie season. Adding in Julius Randle gets the Kings some valuable young players, and the Lakers could offer to trade a future pick as well. This move would be bad for Cousins because the Lakers' well is dry, but if they land a big free agent this summer or next, they would suddenly leap back into contention, which is how they've always looked to rebuild.
It should also be noted that when you talk of Cousins' teammates, he gets along with several players. He's close with Quincy Acy and he and Omri Casspi have a good relationship. So take that with a grain of salt as we restart the rumor mill around DeMarcus Cousins for the third year in a row.
