NBA Trade Rumors: 6 DeMarcus Cousins Trades

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been looking to acquire a superstar since Kevin Love hit the market with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but now their attention should shift to Cousins, who has beaten up on them as a divisional opponent.

The Lakers are certainly a prime free agent destination, and adding Cousins would make the Lakers an even more attractive option for the top free agent class.

Why talk about the Lakers and free agency? They will clear $49 million off the books if they don’t make any moves before the trade deadline. Even if they did acquire Cousins, that’s enough to offer a max contract and fill out their roster to add depth at position of need.

That would certainly be a quick and exciting re-tool for Lakers fans, who are saying farewell to all-time great Kobe Bryant this season. The Lakers don’t own their first-round picks in the 2016 or 2018 NBA drafts.

So that requires a conditional pick swap, similarly to what the Celtics and Nets have done, where the Kings would have the option to swap with the Lakers pick if it is better than the Kings in 2017.

The Kings benefit largely by getting Jordan Clarkson into their rotations. He has a 14.3 Player Efficiency Rating, which is better than any shooting guard on the Kings’ roster. While Clarkson is listed as a point guard, he’s proven that he can play as a combo guard in the backcourt.

The additions of Julius Randle and Roy Hibbert, who has a no-trade clause, in the frontcourt would give the Kings depth. Randle’s potential is high as a two-way player. He’s very good on the offensive end and can rebound, pairing himself nicely with Cauley-Stein. Hibbert provides a good backup option to Cauley-Stein, or as a starter due to his veteran experience.

Hollinger’s Trade Machine projects that the Kings would fall off of their pace by one game and the Lakers would improve by six games.

Next: Miami Heat