Phoenix Suns: Pros And Cons Of Trading For DeMarcus Cousins
After a report of DeMarcus Cousins trade talks emerged, it’s time to take a look at the pros and cons of a potential deal for the Phoenix Suns.
At 15-33, the Phoenix Suns currently sport the worst record in the Western Conference and the second-worst record in the entire league. They’re somehow only 6.5 games out of a playoff spot, but as the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline approaches, it’s become abundantly clear the Suns are about to miss the playoffs for a franchise-record seventh straight year.
And yet, try as the front office might to commit to its progressing youth movement, all it takes is one trade rumor to change everyone’s perspective on what the franchise should do to rebuild.
Case in point: On Tuesday, Arizona Sports John Gambadoro reported that the Suns had discussed a DeMarcus Cousins trade with the Sacramento Kings, which revolved around swingman T.J. Warren, backup center Alex Len, Phoenix’s 2017 first round draft pick and “possibly more.”
In the time since, Suns fans were absolutely psyched about the possibility of adding Boogie, and perhaps rightfully so. Cousins is perhaps the best individual center in the NBA, and for a franchise that hasn’t had a transcendent star since Steve Nash, it’s only natural to lose patience and hope for a game-changer to turn the team’s fortunes around.
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However, multiple reports have emerged to shoot down the rumors since. According to Real GM’s Keith Smith, those trade talks happened before Christmas and no deal is imminent, while The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Jones shot down the rumors altogether.
FWIW: I'm told there's nothing to the Kings-Suns rumor. Cousins isn't being traded, especially w/o a high-level player in return,
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) February 1, 2017
It makes sense from Sacramento’s perspective, especially since just a few weeks back a contract extension worth more than $200 million was reportedly imminent. More than likely, this was just a smoke screen put out there by the Suns to hide their true intentions for the trade deadline.
But as is the case with every report leading up to Feb. 23, we have to take all of this with a grain of salt. For the sake of being thorough, and because the pros and cons of changing course away from Phoenix’s youth movement is worth examining anyway, here are five pros and five cons of a potential DeMarcus Cousins trade for the Suns.