DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings complains during their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Sleep Train Arena on March 9, 2016 in Sacramento, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
Trade rumors regarding DeMarcus Cousins are nothing new but this time it might be coming true with the Sacramento Kings becoming more frustrated with him this season. The latest speculations imply that Cousins might be gone by December with the Boston Celtics among the favorites to acquire him.
Kings minority owner Shaquille O'Neal said in a recent episode of Inside the NBA that he is hearing talk within the organization is planning to trade Cousins this season. He noted that Cousins not becoming a true leader of the team is one of the reasons why they could part ways with him.
"In the previous years, he's been hot-headed, he hasn't shown great leadership qualities yet. He hasn't shown those leadership qualities, and that's why I'm hearing talk that if things don't start to become correct, they may be looking to go in a different direction," O'Neal said.
According to Sporting News, the Kings might pull the trigger on a Cousins trade as early as mid-December. However, there is still some hope that he could stick longer if they go on a winning streak during their five-game home stretch in the coming days.
But if the Kings fail to get any momentum, the report mentioned that the league expects a Cousins trade is certainly going to happen. Some the teams linked to him include the Celtics, Nuggets, Cavaliers, Wizards, Warriors, Mavericks, Blazers, Pistons, Rockets, Magic, Hornets, Knicks, Raptors, Lakers, Bulls and Nets.
Out of the teams mentioned above, the Celtics have the best chance to acquire Cousins via trade. They have a couple first-round picks that could become first overall selections, as well as young talents like Marcus Smart, James Young, Jaylen Brown and Kelly Olynyk.
According to CSN New England, Danny Ainge is only interested in making a trade to get "game changers." Cousins is definitely a game changer since many consider him as the best center in the NBA today.
However, it is a very risky trade, especially if Brad Stevens cannot control the All-Star big man. Nevertheless, the addition of Cousins will make the Celtics even stronger along with Al Horford and Isaiah Thomas.
The winning culture in Boston can certainly make Cousins hungrier and more matured. He might finally become known as a winner and possibly a champion, rather than a whiner and a hot-head. Check out the video below to see Cousins performance against the Blazers on November 11.
