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NBA Trade Rumors: High-Profile Players In Dire Need Of A Trade

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the basketball game agains the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center March 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings during the basketball game agains the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center March 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 09: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings complains during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Sleep Train Arena on March 9, 2016 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 09: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings complains during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Sleep Train Arena on March 9, 2016 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Position: Center
Age: 25 (8/13/1990)
2016-17 Salary: $16,957,900
Slash Line: .451/.333/.718
Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 26.9 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 3.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 3PM

The Sacramento Kings have hired Dave Joerger to fill the void at head coach. That move signals a desire to win right now, and it’s reason enough to believe that the Kings are finally building around DeMarcus Cousins.

And just like that, the Kings traded away a Top 10 selection to select a draft-and-stash prospect who plays the same position as Cousins.

Cousins promptly responded to the decision to draft a player at his position—a reality that’s so puzzling it had to be stated twice.

https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/746149291249410050

As if that weren’t enough, the Kings used a second first-round draft pick on another big man: Skal Labissiere.

The Kings are gonna King, and that’s why Cousins needs a fresh start.

In 2015-16, Cousins became the first player to average at least 25.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 block since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1995-96. It was brilliant season from a player who’s a postseason berth away from legitimizing his superstar status.

That postseason berth is simply too many roster moves away to justify his remaining in Sacramento.

Joeger is a very good coach, but he’s also the Kings’ fifth head coach since 2012. Thus, it’s hard to envision Sacramento winning in the deep Western Conference until it actually begins to win.

At this point, the best possible move would be to give Cousins the opportunity to win elsewhere.

Next: Improper Fit

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