DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : Getty Images)
DeMarcus Cousins could be an appealing trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers before the February 2017 trade deadline, but it remains to be seen whether the Lakers are willing to gamble on Boogie at the expense of their young talents.
The Lakers' surprising and impressive form this season is a huge step towards the team's rebuilding process, but it would behoove Los Angeles to add a proven star if they wish to immediately rejoin the league's elite teams. One name that has been consistently linked to the Lakers and other teams around in the league is DeMarcus Cousins, who many see as a desirable yet risky acquisition, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
Cousins is not as desired as some fans want to believe - there is a real concerns from many teams regarding his situation and cost to obtain https://t.co/sCGXlClDKi
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) December 26, 2016
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has insisted he would like to keep the team intact, especially young talents like Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. But ESPN's Zach Lowe believes that the Lakers' young guns "might be considered more unproven than intriguing," claiming that some executives would trade Ingram and Russell to the Sacramento Kings for Cousins.
"The Lakers would be selling low, anyway. Their young guys might be considered more unproven than intriguing, though opinions about them among rival front offices are all over the place. Some executives would trade Ingram and Russell for Cousins today. Others consider that lunacy," Lowe wrote.
It would be intriguing to see Cousins playing for the Lakers. The 26-year-old center is immensely talented on both ends of the floor and could certainly be a game-changer for a team like the Lakers, who have been looking for a star to fill the void left by Kobe Bryant. However, there are also concerns over the All-Star center being a locker room question mark.
Moreover, Cousins would likely remain with the Kings past the trade deadline, with Sacramento on course for a playoff spot in the West. The NBA's new CBA could also play a factor for Cousins staying in Sacramento as he can become a Designated Veteran and get a $200 million extension.
Would the Lakers trade the likes of Ingram and Russell for Cousins if given the opportunity? It is hard to pass up on a talented center like Cousins, although the Lakers would probably take a hard, long look about considering it at such cost. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see whether the Lakers would make a move for Cousins before the deadline.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
