The Toronto Raptors could be looking for a blockbuster trade that would acquire them Sacramento Kings center Demarcus Cousins.
The Raptors have emerged as a legit contender in the East in the past few seasons. With DeMar DeRozan set to remain in Toronto for five more years, and the rest of the team's roster approaching the regular season in full health, the Raptors have a better chance of a good start.
However, it is no secret that the Raptors, despite their talented core of young veterans, still lack a star that could have a major impact to the team's chances of winning its first NBA championship. The Raptors have yet to confirm a trade for a proven star, but one that would fit the mold and what Toronto may need is DeMarcus Cousins, who has been consistently linked to trade rumors this offseason.
Cousins is evidently somewhat displeased with the Kings' direction since last season, which may have contributed to Sacramento replacing George Karl with Dave Joerger. The 26-year-old center's recent reactions at the Kings' draft choices in June to admitting winning a Gold Medal in Rio is the "best feeling ever" suggest those rumors may have something into, according to reports from SB Nation.
In the proposed trade scenario, which works on ESPN's trade machine, the Raptors would give up Jonas Valanciunas, Cory Joseph and Norman Powell to the Kings for Cousins. Adding a future draft pick should also sweeten the pot for Sacramento, who could also include Darren Collison in the potential deal.
Cousins to Raptors would alter the NBA-landscape. The two-time All-Star, who averaged a career-best 26.9 points, along with 11.5 rebounds per game last season, would give Toronto another star to play alongside DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, who, interestingly, both have got along with Boogie really well at the Rio Olympics.
The Kings, on the other hand, would get a replacement for Cousins in Valanciunas and a talented point guard in Joseph.
Valanciunas, who also averaged a career-best 12.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game last season, could also grow along the Kings' other young big men, but would be more manageable than Boogie. Joseph could be the Kings' top playmaker, while Powell adds backcourt depth.
It is unclear whether the Raptors have a genuine interest in adding Cousins, but it is not too difficult to see the Kings' All-Star center suiting for another team in the foreseeable future, and it is a situation Toronto should consider if they wish to become legit title contenders in the league.
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