DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue to include DeMarcus Cousins as there are stronger reasons to believe that he is bound to be traded.
There would be at least half a dozen NBA teams eager to get their hands on the talented big man. The Sacramento Kings continue to declare that they would live and die by Boogie and that's understandable since they don't really have a real asset to draw the crowds.
However, pundits like ESPN Insider believe that Cousins' contract may force the hand of the Kings. Tom Haberstroh stated that the Kings may find a team with a valuable offer for Cousins. A talented big man on a team friendly
"So why would the Kings want to trade that kind of value? Because another team might see him as more valuable than the Kings do," Haberstroh argued.
With this statement, the barrage of DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors roll in and we've seen almost every variant package from teams like the Boston Celtics, LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets. But what would really convince the Kings to part with their franchise player and quite frankly, the only reason that makes them significant?
The Miami Heat could be a sleeper team in the Cousins sweepstakes. They have a top asset in Hassan Whiteside-a young rim protector who led the league in blocks and he has a newly signed contract-the type of security that the Kings need since they don't really have much to sell free agents on.
One other asset that the Heat would have (and would probably be willing to trade) is Goran Dragic. The Kings will not have a legit starting point guard on opening day with Darren Collison suspended over a domestic violence case and GM Vlade Divac has not made that the position a priority in the draft or free agency (they took centers instead).
Zach Lowe of ESPN talked about the possibility of trading Dragic: "The Heat and Kings have had some vague trade talks since July -- not necessarily involving Dragic, sources say -- and given the Kings' shaky point guard situation, it's tempting to build deals sending Dragic to Sacramento."
Lowe noted that the Kings need "something real" in exchange for the Slovenian point guard as they paid a high price to acquire him. Upgrading from Whiteside to Cousins (because Whiteside is NOT a franchise player but Cousins is) is a good step and the Heat could also acquire Rudy Gay as the stretch four to replace Chris Bosh.
This is a speculative scenario but there is solid basis, as Lowe suggested. Of course, the trade cannot happen now and many would scoff at how Riley would trade off Whiteside considering how he chose the Heat over other suitors. But then again, rewarding player loyalty is not Pat Riley's strong suit as Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh will attest.
