DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks could acquire DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings in a four-way blockbuster deal that also involves the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers.
There is a lot of talk going around the league about DeMarcus Cousins' tenure with the Kings. Sporting News' Sean Deveney claimed that front office executives believe Cousins will no longer be with the Kings by the February trade deadline comes around.
"I'd say they have three months, tops," one Western Conference general manager told Sporting News. "Probably more like a month, or month-and-a-half, because the closer they get to the (February trade) deadline, the less they're going to get back. If you're trying to trade him the week of the deadline, it's going to be tougher."
Cousins is one of the most dominant big men in the league, with the 26-year-old center posting career averages of 20.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. But his issues with lashing out at coaches and referees and the franchise's dysfunction in the past few seasons have seen him as the odd man out in Sacramento.
While many teams would be cautious at trading for Cousins, there is no denying his immense talent. Several teams are expected to call the Kings before the deadline, and among those who could make a move is the Dallas Mavericks.
One trade scenario that could work for the Mavs is a four-way deal with the Kings, 76ers and Hawks. The Mavs would receive Cousins and Darren Collison, while the Kings get 2017 first-round picks from Atlanta and Dallas, Justin Anderson, Deron Williams and Mike Scott. On the other side of the deal, the Hawks would acquire Dwight Powell, Devin Harris and a second-rounder from the Mavs, with Philly getting Tiago Splitter.
But while the Kings would receive assets necessary for their rebuild, the 76ers trading for Tiago Splitter would be a bad move for a team who already has a crowded frontcourt. Likewise, the Hawks do not seem ready to breakup their core after an impressive start to the season.
It is unclear whether the Mavs have a genuine interest in trading for Cousins, but they have long been intrigued by adding another talented big man since their failed pursuit for DeAndre Jordan in the summer of 2015. Adding Cousins would give the Mavs a tremendous boost on both ends of the floor and a star to take over the team once Dirk Nowitzki retires.
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