Kevin Love (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue and one of the talks on the night of the 2016 NBA Draft was the possibility of a DeMarcus Cousins trade.
In this report, it was revealed that the Sacramento Kings have been trying to acquire D'Angelo Russell from the Lakers. It was assumed that the only piece that the Kings have which could entice the Lakers to trade away Russell was DeMarcus Cousins.
The Kings' draft choices also had many pundits scratching their heads. They traded away one of the draft's top choices, Marquese Chriss to the Phoenix Suns for the 13th and 28th picks-in which they drafted two centers.
According to Claire McNear of The Ringer, the Kings aren't "actively trying to drive away DeMarcus Cousins - because that would be insane - but the team has done just about everything in its power to do so."
After drafting the Greek center Georgios Papagiannis at no.13, Cousins tweeted quite ominously, "Lord, give me strength." Of course, Cousins denied that this is connected with the Papagiannis pick, but Boogie's lament is understandable.
While the Greek center is not a bad pick by itself, McNear reasons that it "does nothing to address the Kings' lack of shooting or the fact the team's only real assists came from a point guard who refused to shoot (or play defense), and who is also probably leaving in the offseason." Rajon Rondo is likely leaving and the Kings did not make a move to address that position.
Another position that the Kings need to address is power forward. They would cover this by playing Cousins along with their other centers-Willie Cauley Stein and Kosta Koufos, or Rudy Gay in a stretch four capacity. Chriss would have been a good fit but they traded him for two centers.
Perhaps the best way for the Kings to rectify this error is to trade DeMarcus Cousins for a power forward. The Cleveland Cavaliers are still rumored to be listening to trade offers for Kevin Love despite winning the championship and ESPN NBA Insider Jeremias Engelmann suggested this swap for Love.
"DeMarcus Cousins could be a viable target if Sacramento decides to move him: He's one of the NBA's best centers and wouldn't clog the lane too much for LeBron because he can shoot from outside."
The Cavs were most vulnerable when they went on small lineups with Kevin Love at center. If that were Cousins, they won't be losing on defense and Boogie is just as mobile as Love (perhaps even more).
For the Kings, they would be rid of the endless drama that Cousins brings and Love would fit with all the defensive centers that they collected. The Cavs may need to add another player as Cousins has more trade value. For the chance to acquire a talent like Boogie, that would not be a problem.
