The Los Angeles Lakers could be a potential landing spot for Sacramento Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, although it may come at the expense of LA's core of young talents.
The Kings are reportedly planning to test the market of trading Cousins following the Sacramento's failed season that saw plenty of drama between Boogie and ex-head coach George Karl.
Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee claimed that there is a "sense within the organization" general manager Vlade Divac has become frustrated of Cousins' ongoing issues with head coaches and may explore trading the Kings big man.
Cousins has been long linked to trade rumors even before the Kings' season ended. According to Matt Moore of CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers could be one of the possible destinations for Cousins, but LA may have to give up D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and a future pick a trade package enticing for the Kings.
"Trading D'Angelo Russell after his foibles with Nick Young would be understandable now, especially after a disappointing rookie season. Adding in Julius Randle gets the Kings some valuable young players, and the Lakers could offer to trade a future pick as well," Moore wrote.
The Lakers have not been known for being a franchise that achieves success thru investing in young talents in the past decade. For instance, their three-peat championship from 2000-2002 was a product of acquiring Shaquille O'Neal via free agency in the summer of 1996. The Lakers' last two championships came when they traded for Pau Gasol in 2008, also resulting to three-consecutive NBA Finals trip.
If the Lakers wish to get back on their winning ways, trading for a superstar seems a viable option instead of waiting for the likes of Clarkson, Randle and Russell to establish themselves as a legit superstar, although there is no denying the youngsters' potentials and talents.
Hannah Kulik of Lakers Nation believes the Lakers front office will look to make a "key trade" for a veteran talent as the 16-time NBA champions do not have the time to nurture raw talents.
"This summer, it is imperative that the Lakers add legitimate starters at center, small forward, and, in the minds of many, point guard," Kulik wrote.
"Instead, they have the prospect of ending up with three young power forwards and three young shooting guards, if things go as hoped in the draft and free agency. In that event, a trade would seem very likely, and wise, to fill a bigger need."
Cousins would instantly transform the Lakers, a team that has miserably failed to spell success in the past two seasons, back to the playoff picture or if copped with another veteran signing, title contention.
But while there is no denying Cousins' immense skillset, the major concern in trading for Boogie would probably be the coach-player relationship with Luke Walton, who was hired by the Lakers to replace Byron Scott. If Walton could tame Cousins and avoid any Sacramento-like drama, the 25-year old big man would be a perfect fit in LA, where he could be the next great Lakers center.
The Lakers have a hole to fill at the center position, with Roy Hibbert exploring free agency this summer. The market will have plenty of talented big men, but if incase LA miss out on any of the likes of Hassan Whiteside or Al Horford, trading for Cousins may not be a bad move even if it costs them young talents.