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5 Potential Trade Targets For Los Angeles Lakers

By Carter Johnson

Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) lineup for a free throw during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) lineup for a free throw during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) guards Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 112-93. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) guards Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 112-93. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMarcus Cousins

Cue the eye rolls and raised eyebrows.

Yes, the Sacramento Kings have vehemently stated time and time again that they have no intentions of trading their franchise player and NBA superstar in DeMarcus Cousins. And rightfully so; he’s having a behemoth of a season with 27.2 PPG, 11.2 RPG and 1.4 BPG while going 45 percent from the field and 33 percent from three.

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    • But come on — they have to know this won’t last forever, right?

    The Kings have to know that a star of Cousins’ caliber is going to get tired of mediocrity sooner or later and no matter how hard they try, the Kings just can’t seem to put enough talent around him to make a significant push into the playoffs. With the imminent threat that he could eventually leave them high and dry in free agency, why not save yourself the heartbreak and get some assets in return?

    The Lakers are one of few teams that has young assets to provide the Kings in return for Cousins and you have to imagine that, being who they are, team management would be willing to bet the house to land the best center in the league.

    While it may take giving Russell up to complete the deal, the Lakers would prefer to keep the young point guard to pair with Cousins. Luckily, there may be a way to get that done.

    The Kings would essentially be receiving a brand new young core to build around with two promising players in Clarkson and Randle. They would also get a defensive anchor in Hibbert, and the Lakers certainly wouldn’t hesitate to throw in a future draft pick to sweeten the deal.

    Clarkson, an athletic guard who can play both backcourt positions, and Randle, a big that can run the floor and is aggressive on the boards, are both prototypical George Karl players.

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    Sacramento reportedly denied such a deal before the draft in June and will likely turn it down again, but it wouldn’t be the Lakers if they didn’t try for the home run, right?

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