DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
DeMarcus Cousins to the Boston Celtics may have a very slim chance of happening this year, but the right package may entice the Sacramento Kings to let go of their disgruntled All-Star center.
With Dave Joerger set for his coaching debut in Sacramento, many believe the Kings will attempt to keep Cousins this season and see how it would go for Boogie playing under another new head coach. But Cousins has been linked to trade rumors non-stop, mostly because of his displeasure towards the Kings' direction, and another act of discontentment may finally lead the team to move their All-Star center.
One of the teams that has been consistently been mentioned to make a run for Cousins is the Boston Celtics.
It is no secret that the Celtics are somewhat all-out in finding another proven star to help them get back on top of the food chain. After signing Al Horford this summer, and close to snagging Kevin Durant from the Golden State Warriors, hopes are high for the 17-time NBA champs to land another All-Star caliber player.
"I'm interested in making deals that are good and fair for us and most everybody I deal with has the same intentions," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge told the Boston Globe. "To make deals, it's gotta be the right time. We're having a lot of conversations, maybe that's why our name is mentioned a lot. But I want to do good deals."
With that being said, it isn't too far-fetched for the Celtics to ponder about acquiring Cousins this season, especially if they could create a very enticing package for the Kings. But one has to wonder what a potential deal would look like that would get the Kings bite Boston's trade bait.
Surely, any deal would include the Brooklyn Nets' 2017 and 2018 pick that the Celtics own. Including those future picks would assure the Kings a chance to acquire young talents necessary for their rebuild.
But in terms of player exchange, to lure the Kings for a transaction, the Celtics would have to include a third-team like the Indiana Pacers.
In a three-way blockbuster deal that works on ESPN's trade machine, the Celtics acquire Cousins by sending Amir Johnson and Marcus Smart to the Kings. The Pacers would then send Monta Ellis to Sacramento for Rudy Gay, who is also rumored to be on the trade block.
Cousins has expressed the joy of playing for a winning team after his Gold Medal stint with Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Celtics, with their disciplined players and more than capable coach in Brad Stevens, would offer Cousins a chance to win and contend for an NBA championship.
Cousins and Horford together would create a very formidable frontcourt that would be scary for other teams even powerhouses like the Cavs, Warriors and Spurs.
Meanwhile, the Kings would receive a veteran in Johnson, who could serve as a mentor to Sacramento's core of young big men. Adding Smart and Ellis would also address the Kings' backcourt issues and imbalanced roster.
The Pacers, on the other hand, has long been enamored by acquiring Gay this offseason, but was turned down when they straight up shopped Ellis to Sac-town. With the Celtics in the mix, Indiana has the chance to add Gay to their revamped roster, while also addressing their crowded backcourt.
The Celtics have cautioned themselves not to take part in risky trades, especially if one would require them too much of their assets. But a trade for Cousins may be an exemption and any means of acquiring him would be worth exploring for the Celtics.
