DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings are rumored to be looking for defensive players following their 110-105 loss to the worst team in the league, the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Kings have lost three games in a row, and against the 76ers, Sacramento has been outhustled.
According to Kings head coach George Karl, the team has too many offensive players and not enough defensive stoppers who could play with intensity and toughness.
"I told the team inconsistent intensity, inconsistent focus, inconsistent toughness and mental discipline," Karl said, reports Jason James of the Sacramento Bee.
"My feeling is we have too many offensive players and not enough defensive players. We don't have enough guts to make stops."
Despite starting the season terribly, the Kings (12-20) are now bound for a playoff spot, with Sacramento just two games behind the Utah Jazz (14-17), who currently sits at the eighth spot in the Western Conference rankings.
Karl's words may just be a wakeup call for his squad, but Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders believes it could also be a hint that the Kings would entertain trade deals before the deadline.
The Kings have been linked to several trade rumors this season about their All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins.
If the Kings are looking to acquire defensive players, they could deal Cousins for the Memphis Grizzlies' grit and grind squad of Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.
Z-Bo and Allen have decreased their roles within the Grizzlies team that seems to be inclining in blowing up their grit and grind style. But both of these players are still very much capable of contributing on the defensive end.
Bringing in Randolph and Allen would balance the Kings offensive and defensive schemes.
Cousins, on the other hand, would instantly shot the Grizzlies into title contention, creating the scariest frontcourt tandem in the NBA.
ESPN's trade machine approved a trade of Cousins for Randolph and Allen, although the Kings would probably ask for more if a trade scenario like this materializes.
