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Phoenix Suns: Pros And Cons Of Trading For DeMarcus Cousins

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) celebrates after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 102-100 at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Boogie Is An Undeniable Superstar….

DeMarcus Cousins is probably a top-10 player in the NBA, and he may very well be its best center. He’s unstoppable in the paint because of his size, strength and physicality, he’s improved on the defensive end and this season, he’s managed to add a three-point shot to his arsenal.

Averaging a career-high 28.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game, Boogie ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring, 12th in rebounding and 19th in blocks. He also ranks second among all centers in steals AND assists. He’s elite by pretty much every statistical measure.

According to Basketball-Reference, Cousins is on pace to join David Robinson (1993-94) as the only players in NBA history to average those numbers for an entire season, only he’s doing it while adding in 1.8 three-pointers per game on 37.3 percent shooting from deep. So yeah, he’s pretty damn elite.

https://twitter.com/Espo/status/826630627155865600

Though his teams have never seen the playoffs, or even won more than 33 games in a single season, that can hardly be blamed on Cousins in the wake of his franchise’s systemic dysfunction. His best teammates over the years have been Rudy Gay and Rajon Rondo, and the Kings have whiffed on too many chances to add young talent through the draft to count.

In Phoenix, Cousins would finally get his chance to play with teammates who are actually talented, representing his first shot at making the playoffs. A stretch-5 with such a passion for the game is rarely found, and as the Suns continue to try and strike gold in the NBA Draft, it’s worth noting that Boogie is exactly the kind of player you hope a drafted rookie will eventually become.

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