DeMarcus Cousins could be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo : Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The NBA season is in full swing but the biggest narrative that most NBA fans follow is the trade rumors for DeMarcus Cousins.
Despite the numerous scenarios that have popped out linking Cousins with teams like the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards and the like, there are pundits who believe that Cousins belongs to a franchise that has a history of snaring the top centers in the game.
The LA Lakers have been linked to the Sacramento Kings, specifically DeMarcus Cousins even before reports about his availability have sprung forth. Cousins has teased that the LA Lakers is his favorite team growing up and the Sacramento Kings have a desire for D'Angelo Russell.
The Kings have set their eyes on Russell even before he was drafted. Russell has since improved under the tutelage of Coach Luke Walton and the Kings still have no long-term starting point guard. The pieces still fit and Cousins is still playing like the best center in the game (even though more challengers to his throne have emerged).
The only question about trading for DeMarcus Cousins is the price. Even if the Lakers agree to send D'Angelo, they still need to add pieces to acquire Cousins and the rumor stated that they were asking too much, as Sean Deveney of Sporting News relayed.
This is probably the reason why the trade has yet to take place. The Lakers have formed a young core of Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle and they don't want to give up more than one of those key players for Cousins.
The Kings do not necessarily need a center in exchange for Boogie as they have reloaded on that position during the past two drafts. Aside from a starting point guard, they need scoring from the wing as well as their bench.
Nick Young and Lou Williams have been on the Lakers trade rumor mill since last season. As they are not part of the young core, most pundits believe they are dispensable-which in turn drastically reduced their trade value.
This has definitely changed early in the season. Nick Young has actually showcased his skills, not just at shooting but also on defense. Williams was given the starting spot as Walton decided to keep Clarkson as the explosive scorer for their second unit-a role that Williams had much success with.
SB Nation Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll is now questioning whether the team should still trade Williams and Young. This is a sign that the trade value of the veteran pair has increased. There are conspiracy theorists who hypothesize that this is all part of a scheme to sell Williams and Young as complementary pieces for a bigger trade.
With the improved play of Lou and Nick, would it be enough to send them along with D'Angelo Russell for Cousins? Some would note how coach Walton has experimented with Brandon Ingram as the playmaker as a sign that he's preparing life without D'Angelo. Also, how Clarkson is being groomed to carry the second unit by himself-as opposed to playing alongside Russell. These are highly speculative assumptions but the dots are there to connect.
