DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have long been linked on trading for stars, who could alter the direction of both franchises. DeMarcus Cousins, who was recently traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, has been pegged by many to fill that role for the Celtics and Lakers, but things obviously never went that way.
According to the ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers were engaged in trade talks with the Kings for Cousins, but while Los Angeles have shown interest in acquiring one of the best centers in the league, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported LA was unwilling to give up Brandon Ingram in the trade.
Kings wanted Brandon Ingram in a trade package for Cousins, but Lakers refused to include him, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 20, 2017
It is unclear how serious the Lakers are about acquiring an All-Star caliber player like Cousins, but it was clearly a chance for the Purple and Gold to get back on track. Cousins, who averages 27.8 points and 10.6 rebounds a game this season, has been considered by many as a locker room question mark, but there is no denying his presence would help the Lakers compete for a title again.
On the other hand, if there is a team that can orchestrate a blockbuster move, it would be the Celtics. The Cs have plenty of tradable assets they could use to acquire Cousins, who would check all the boxes for Boston' need, but the team missed the opportunity as the Celtics are too focused on pursuing Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler, according to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report.
Source w/reasons Pels got Boogie: Cs (too focussed on getting Butler), Orl (could've had him, balked) & Phx (Sac didn't want BKnight). — Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) February 20, 2017
CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely reported that the Celtics are one of several teams checking the availability of Butler, adding that any trade would require any combination of "high draft picks and young veterans." Butler would give the Celtics a go-to-scorer, but acquiring Cousins would have addressed Boston's need of a rebounder and rim-protector.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
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