Los Angeles Lakers: 3 potential trade proposals for DeMarcus Cousins

Trade No. 2

Chances are the Pelicans aren’t interested in taking on Deng’s contract, so let’s skip to the next idea. It’s very similar to the last one, except with less thrown in on both sides.

The Lakers still get Cousins to give them one of the best offensive centers in the NBA right now. To help fill some roster spots, I also threw in Dante Cunningham. This solves the Lakers’ problems in the post, gives them a legitimate superstar and a solid veteran small forward.

In return, the Pelicans get Clarkson, Randle, Nance and Zubac. There are no superstars in the bunch and it leaves them with a logjam at power forward, but the young assets are nice for a team likely headed back into rebuild mode. With four quality players included in the deal, the Lakers only send a 2018 second round pick instead of parting with their 2020 first round pick.

When New Orleans originally landed Cousins, it parted with Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a first round pick and a second round pick. Realistically, this package isn’t that far off. With the big man potentially bailing via free agency, the Pelicans only have so much leverage as it is.

I will make this point, as well. If Cousins does actually want to play for the Lakers, other suitors will be informed that he won’t re-sign. That could force the Pelicans to pull the trigger on the best deal Los Angeles has to offer.