DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings look to keep hold of DeMarcus Cousins, despite several speculations linking Boogie to a trade. However, considering the dysfunction of the Kings' organization, Cousins could choose to join a winning team if things do not go accordingly in Sacramento.
Cousins leaving the Kings remains a rumor, with the team still expected to keep hold of the All-Star center. But if the Kings fail to create a winning culture for Cousins, Sports Illustrated's Fansided writer Deasia Paige believes the 26-year-old center should start considering leaving Sacramento in the foreseeable future.
"This disbelief in a winning environment should be echoed by DeMarcus Cousins when he hits free agency in 2018. It wouldn't be wise for Cousins to stay there for a longer than he has to. Rudy Gay's decision should be a sign for Cousins to consider leaving when he can. The Kings have not made the postseason since 2006 and will likely not make it this season," Paige wrote.
After Team USA's Gold Medal finish at the Olympic Games in Rio, Cousins expressed great desire to be on a winning team. Cousins described his successful stint in the international stage as the "best feeling ever," which may have hinted Cousins' wanting the Kings to turn things around, or possibly joining a team where he could have a chance at winning an NBA championship.
The Kings are not expected to instantly turn themselves into a winning team even with Dave Joerger coaching them. With the current composition of the Kings' roster, it is hard to imagine the franchise contend for a playoff spot. They also had the chance to improve their roster and keep Cousins pleased in this year's draft, but the Kings selected a pair of big men instead of going for a talented point guard.
There are several destinations for Cousins if he truly wants to join a contending team, but the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are the only teams who could offer him a legit chance for a title shot.
The Cavs are coming off a championship run, and the team has all the intentions to repeat as champions for more years to come. And with LeBron James still committed to playing in Cleveland, it instantly gives the team a winning culture Cousins has been longing for.
Adding a skilled big man like Cousins would certainly help the Cavs in their hopes of winning back-to-back titles, although acquiring him from the Kings would likely force Cleveland to trade away Kevin Love and another key player.
Cousins could also choose to join the Warriors, who are also poised to become a better winning team this season following the summer acquisition of Kevin Durant. Considering Cousins' relationship with the Warriors' All-Stars, such move is possible in the foreseeable future, according to Carlos Murillo of Blue Man Hoop, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated.
"DeMarcus Cousins will be a Golden State Warrior because he loves them," Murillo wrote. "Over the last two summers, he has represented Team USA in international competition. He spent a lot of time with Curry and Thompson last season and Green and Durant this year. He can regularly be found working out or messing around with the Warriors players at practice."
However, the Warriors do not have much to offer the Kings and any potential deal would likely breakup GSW's core roster, which has helped the team become successful in the past two seasons. But there is no denying Cousins' talent, and the Warriors may consider exploring a trade if presented an opportunity to lure Cousins into the Bay Area.
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