Andre Drummond and DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Andre Drummond could be the Detroit Pistons' centerpiece in a potential blockbuster deal for Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins.
There is probably a very slim chance the Pistons would trade Drummond before the February 23 deadline, despite the 23-year-old's struggles on both ends of the floor this season. Drummond, who is averaging 14.2 points and 13.5 rebounds per game for the Pistons, is simply included in the team's short list of untouchable players.
However, there is a chance Drummond could be dealt, especially if Detroit's experiment of turning him into a franchise cornerstone would not work, according to Sports Illustrated's Andrew Sharp.
"The market for centers is tricky across the league, but Drummond is still young enough to sell teams on his potential, and he's signed through 2020. If the Pistons admit this experiment is failing before it actually bottoms out, they can market Drummond as a double-double machine that just doesn't click with Van Gundy," Sharp wrote.
There will surely be several teams interested in adding Drummond should the Pistons make him available in the market. According SI's report, a "dream scenario" of Drummond, Stanley Johnson and a 2018 future draft pick could be the right price for Detroit to acquire Kings' DeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins would flourish playing under Stan Van Gundy, who has helped turn the likes of Dwight Howard into one of the dominating big men in the league. It was supposed to be the idea of having Van Gundy coaching Drummond, but it has yet to take full effect in Motor City. Acquiring Cousins, who is averaging 28.0 points and 10.3 rebounds a game this season, would give the Pistons a proven talent who can certainly help on both ends of the floor.
While Cousins has been linked to several trade rumors in the past two years, the Kings have been able to keep hold of the All-Star center. The new CBA set to take effect in the league could also play a factor for Cousins to stay in Sacramento and for the Kings to keep him long-term. According to James Ham of CSN California, the Kings and Cousins are about to agree on a massive extension that will keep the big man in Sac-town.
"CSN California has confirmed through a league source that the two sides have tossed around numbers and that barring a late change in direction by either side, Cousins intends to sign a massive, max-money extension, estimated at roughly $207 million during the offseason that will keep the big man in a Kings uniform long-term," Ham wrote.
This wild trade scenario may never happen, with both teams inclined of keeping their respective center for the long haul. But if things go in the opposite direction for the Pistons and Kings, it is a possibility worth exploring.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
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