DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue to swirl around the big men whose stocks are most likely to depreciate.
DeMarcus Cousins may still be a hot commodity as a prime talent but no matter how hard the Sacramento Kings try to hide it, even they are already preparing for his departure.
Boogie Cousins is due to become a free agent in 2018 and he is most likely leaving for a team that could buy him a ticket to the playoffs. According to ESPN Insider Tom Haberstroh, "my growing sense is that Cousins might be playing in the 2017 playoffs -- for another team."
While Cousins does not control his destination as if the Kings deal him this season, teams may hesitate to make a huge offer unless they can rein in the temperamental big man. Kings GM Vlade Divac would be after what he could get in return so they still need to work together.
Teams like the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets could assemble player packages and draft picks. Haberstroh mentioned the Oklahoma City Thunder as a destination and they could present Victor Oladipo and Enes Kanter as trade bait.
In the final analysis, the Nuggets are the most likely destination. Cousins would love to reunite with Coach Mike Malone and thus, they have the lowest risk. They also have a ton of assets like veterans Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried as well as young perimeter scorers like Will Barton and Gary Harris.
What's also important is that the Nuggets could become a playoff team even after they trade a wealth of talent to the Kings. The versatility of Nikola Jokic allows him to play alongside Cousins in an immensely talented frontline combo. They also have Emmanuel Mudiay and incoming rookie shooter Jamal Murray.
ESPN Insider also tackled Greg Monroe as the top center in the East most likely to move. Kevin Pelton is pessimistic, though.
"If Milwaukee could get anything of value in return for Monroe, I suspect the Bucks would take it, but there isn't a clear market for him right now," he opined.
There are still buyers for Monroe especially at the trade deadline where his status as a possible free agent may come in handy. The Boston Celtics may bite if they feel that Al Horford would be better at the four, but the New Orleans Pelicans may need to shore up their frontline as Anthony Davis may end up unhappy with another playoff snub. Tyreke Evans or Omer Asik may become the bait to bring him to the The Big Easy.
