A Guide To The Deadline: Buying Or Selling The Biggest NBA Trade Rumors

DeMarcus Cousins – Sacramento Kings

There was hope around the league, at first, that DeMarcus Cousins would finally be traded this year.

He seems to be entering the prime of his career, yet his Sacramento Kings squad hasn’t even sniffed the postseason, and don’t project to any time soon. The locker room fallouts, the on-court outbursts — all of it pointed to Sacramento selling Boogie for the treasure chest of assets that he’d surely command.

But sadly, Kings’ management is still attached to Cousins, despite the team’s woes (reported by Sporting News):

"Despite those issues, he would have plenty of trade value based on his talent. But sources told Sporting News that a trade of Cousins has not been seriously considered by general manager Vlade Divac or owner Vivek Ranadive and that it would take a mega-offer for that to change before next week’s deadline. Even then, it’s a tremendous longshot."

The All-Star center has solidified himself as the unquestioned best center, and arguably the best big man (yes, better than Anthony Davis) in the game. Cousins is averaging 26.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, and has improved his outside shooting tremendously this year (34.9 percent shooting from three). He has played well with Rajon Rondo, who was signed by the Kings last summer.

Cousins, if he were moved, would be the biggest name of the deadline, without question. But, for as much talent as he has, his attitude issues have been a red flag, and could deter a team like Boston, who has the assets to bring in Cousins, from doing so under the concern of disrupting chemistry.

The Kings will likely ride out this season with Cousins, as they do have a outside (albeit, very outside at this point) shot at the playoffs. If Cousins is dealt, it will happen over the summer, not in the next week.

Verdict: Sell

Next: Griffin