Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 Best Potential Trades For DeMarcus Cousins

By Sai Mohan

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
DeMarcus Cousins (15) could instantly become the Lakers’ biggest star since Kobe Bryant (24) Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
DeMarcus Cousins (15) could instantly become the Lakers’ biggest star since Kobe Bryant (24) Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Lakers

View in ESPN Trade Machine.

The Lakers, a franchise with a rich history of legendary centers, has been linked with DeMarcus Cousins through a number of offseasons.

Last year, the Kings wanted the trio of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and the No. 2 pick (with which the Lakers drafted D’Angelo Russell) when Los Angeles and Sacramento reportedly had trade talks for the All-Star center, according to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports.

A year later, it seems like Cousins’ trade value has dipped a little and Sacramento doesn’t have too much leverage.

Live Feed

Rockets: ESPN's Stephen A. Smith makes unbelievable proclamation
Rockets: ESPN's Stephen A. Smith makes unbelievable proclamation /

Space City Scoop

  • 10 Former Milwaukee Bucks who would have thrived in their NBA prime Behind the Buck Pass
  • Former Golden State Warriors' center can't see Chris Paul 'elevating' franchise Blue Man Hoop
  • List of all the All-Stars in New Orleans Pelicans history Pelican Debrief
  • New Orleans Pelicans all-time leaders in double-doubles Pelican Debrief
  • 3 aging veteran free agents Cavaliers could sign on short-term deals King James Gospel

    • Since the Lakers have approximately $8 million left in cap room, they wouldn’t need to give up too many assets to absorb Cousins’ $16 million per season salary.

    Why the Kings do it: Last month, Marc Stein reported that the Kings were very high on sophomore D’Angelo Russell and were willing to trade for the guard. While Darren Collison is a temporary solution as the starting point guard, the Kings would like an exciting talent like Russell to take charge of a rebuilding team.

    Randle would be a nice frontcourt pairing with fellow Kentucky Wildcat Willie Cauley-Stein. The likes of Papagiannis and Labissière are too raw and would need a year or two to thrive in the league. Randle is already a double-double machine and would be good long-term solution at the 4.

    The Kings aren’t expected to make the playoffs next year. Why not just hit the reset button and acquire a bunch of promising youngsters?

    Why the Lakers do it: Russell and Randle have great potential but Cousins is a 27-12 player and a rare breed in today’s guard-driven game. Since the Lakers already have Jordan Clarkson, another budding point guard, it would be a little easier to let go of Russell.

    Cousins, who made one three-pointer a game last season, would be nice fit under Luke Walton. It would be difficult to accommodate Timofey Mozgov and Cousins in the starting lineup, but the Lakers could always start Luol Deng at the 4 alongside Cousins and bring Mozgov off the bench.

    Next: Third Wheel Behind LeBron, Kyrie