John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards could acquire DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Bradley Beal.
The Wizards could reunite John Wall with his former Kentucky teammate Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins in a trade that would send Bradley Beal to the Kings, according to SB Nation's Ben Becker.
After the Kings drafted two young big men in June instead of selecting a talented point guard they could pair with Cousins, there is so much to speculate about his future with the team, especially considering Cousin's reputation of being a locker room cancer.
There is no denying his talents and potential to be a perennial All-Star in the league, but Boogie's "production doesn't justify the significant headaches" he causes off the court. The Kings have also underwent five coaching changes since they signed Cousins in 2010, making it more possible Sacramento finally consider trading the 25-year-old center.
While such trade involving Beal won't happen until December 15, Becker insisted that a deal for Cousins is still worth exploring for the Wizards.
"While a Cousins - Beal swap is unlikely -- because ANY big NBA trade is unlikely, it's ultimately one the Wizards should explore," Becker wrote.
"Even with all his pronounced imperfections, Cousins' year-old max contract makes him a bargain in today's NBA. Beal's deal certainly does not. The dominoes from a deal would likely make the Wizards younger and give them more flexibility heading into another big offseason. Whether it would translate in the short term into more wins is questionable, but in the long term the Wizards would be better positioned."
Certainly, acquiring a talented center like Cousins and putting him alongside his good friend John Wall would instantly create a positive chemistry that could translate into more wins and a postseason run for the Wizards.
On the other hand, Becker claimed the Kings could sell Beal to their fan base. At 23, Beal would perfectly fit with the Kings' core of young talents.
"Beal being three years younger than Cousins syncs up better with Sacramento's most important players -- Willie Cauley-Stein, their recent draft picks, and their 2017 lottery pick. Beal's five year contract -- when Sacramento is always fighting for scraps in free agency -- is a plus as well. While a Beal-Cousins swap won't work straight up, there many versions of a deal that can work with some tweaks," Becker noted.
Whether the Kings would truly consider trading Cousins for Beal remains to be seen, at least until December, when teams are allowed to deal newly-signed players. But such trade scenario may turn out as viable options to both teams and could develop in the coming months.
