DeMarcus Cousins and D'Angelo Russell (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers won't have any second thought in trading D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for DeMarcus Cousins, a source close to situation reported on Tuesday.
The Lakers are still pretty much interested in Cousins to the extent that they are prepared to give up two of their highly coveted youngsters in Russell and Randle for the two-time All-Star and All-NBA center.
According to a league source, Mitch Kupchak hasn't given up on the idea of bringing a bonifide superstar in Cousins, especially with Russell Westbrook apparently leaning towards signing a long-term extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers general manager is aware the value of Russell and Randle are constantly increasing, and that makes him even more confident a deal for Cousins could be done with the two youngsters as the centerpiece of the package.
Russell, the second overall pick of the 2015 Draft, is coming off a stellar campaign at the Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged at least 21 points per game on 47 percent shooting from the field (40 percent from the three-point line).
Randle, meanwhile, averaged a double-double over 81 games (61 starts), recording 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds in 28 minutes per game. The former Kentucky Wildcats bruiser shot 42 percent from the field with 27 percent clip from beyond the three-point line.
It's no secret the Kings are salivating on these up-and-coming players, especially Russell who can really develop into one of the league's elite point guards at least in the next 2 to 3 years. However, many believe it would need more than Russell and Randle to match the Kings' demand.
Lakers Nation writer Hannah Kulik thinks the Lakers will most likely include additional assets in the form of draft picks and another young player like Anthony Brown to seal deal with the Kings.
Though she understands that giving up Russell, Randle and possibly Brown to the Kings is a little bit too much, the reality is there's no alternative but to go all-out in their pursuit of the All-Star center.
After all, Kulik think the Lakers' young core will remain impressive with Brandon Ingram, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance and emerging center Ivica Zubac staying put.
Offseason fever hit a little bit of a break, but expect several trade rumors to emerge again in the weeks leading up to Summer Camp. Sources said the Lakers are prepared to surrender anyone on their roster except Brandon Ingram, and that's something to be looking forward.
