Russell Westbrook and DeMarcus Cousins. (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could lure Russell Westbrook into coming home if the team trades for Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins.
The Lakers are one of the teams being linked to Westbrook, who have been in the heat of trade talks in the past few weeks.
Westbrook is expected to remain with the OKC Thunder next season despite being linked to several trade talks, but multiple reports have claimed it is unlikely he signs a contract extension with the Thunder, making him a potential free agent in the summer of 2017.
It remains to be seen whether the Lakers have a genuine interest in bringing Westbrook to Tinsel town, but even if they do, LA's core of promising young talents may not be enough to lure the Thunder star to play for the Lakers.
According to Eric Yee of Sports Illustrated's Fansided, one move the Lakers may consider is trading for another star who could lure Westbrook into joining the Lakers next year. A notable trade target could be Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who, despite being deemed by the Kings as untouchable in trade talks, could be available for the right price.
"A core of say, Brandon Ingram, Clarkson or Russell, and DeMarcus Cousins has a much higher chance of tickling Westbrook's fancy than the current rebuilding core the team has right now. Additionally, LA could use this as a selling point when courting him next year, showing that they have the chops to make moves for the greater good," Yee wrote.
Cousins may not immediately turn the Lakers into a legit title contender, but trading for him should be a good start for a team looking to get back on track after two-consecutive dismal seasons.
At 25, Cousins is already considered as one of the elite big men in the league. Last season, Cousins averaged a career high 26.9 points, to go along with 11.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks a game.
His presence would boost the Lakers' inside scoring and improve the team's interior defense. But more importantly, acquiring Cousins from the Kings would help the Lakers become a desirable free agent destination for top players, including Westbrook.
Lakers Nation's Hannah Kulik explored a potential deal the Lakers could offer the Kings for Cousins. According to Kulik, a deal centered in Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell, along with a handful of key players, should entice the Kings to give up Cousins.
"If the Kings will agree to accept Randle and Russell, with perhaps Anthony Brown, Tarik Black, Marcelo Huertas or Nick Young thrown in to sweeten the pot, there is a chance the Lakers might say yes. That would still leave the purple and gold with Clarkson, Ingram, Nance, and Zubac, with a still productive Luol Deng. Plus there would be Cousins and perhaps Westbrook to follow after next season," Kulik wrote.
A deal involving Randle and Russell may not be a bad return for the Kings, who seem uncertain about their own future plans after piling up young big men in the last two draft selections.
Randle would add up to the list of big men the Kings have, but the 21-year-old's ability to involve teammates should make him a key cog under Dave Joerger. Russell, on the other hand, could become the Kings' top playmaker who can utilize the talents of Willie Cauley-Stein, Skal Labissiere and Georgios Papagiannis.
Cousins have express fondness of playing for the Lakers, admitting that the 16-time NBA champs were his favorite team growing up. It may not create much buzz of Cousins playing for his childhood team, but Boogie's affection towards the Lakers may suggest he is ready for a change of attitude if he gets to wear the Purple and Gold.
There is so much to speculate at this point, especially with the Lakers putting on hold the contracts of Brandon Ingram, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas, which sparked speculations about an offseason trade. But if the Lakers really want a player like Westbrook, trading for Cousins appears the prerequisite for such scenario.
