NBA TRade Rumors (Photo : Reuters & Twitter)
If making a blockbuster trade with an East coast rival doesn't pique Kupchak's interest, how about exploring the right deal within the Californian neighborhood? The Sacramento Kings are itching to get back to contention after years of playoff inactivity, and the 6-foot-11, 270-pound DeMarcus Cousins is undoubtedly their best bet to make it a reality.
The arrival of trigger-happy but meddlesome Vivek Ranadive as its new owner has been both a gift and a curse for the Kings, but his aggressive approach to make the dormant Kings relevant again should be enough to make their fans 'optimistic' about their future.
In his second year into his reign, Ranadive made sweeping changes on its roster by pulling off big trades (trading with the Toronto Raptors for Rudy Gay), and within its coaching ranks by firing two coaches in consecutive seasons (Mike Malone and Ty Corbin) and hiring former Coach of the Year George Karl midway into the 2014-15 season.
According to source close to situation, the lack of stability within the organization ticks off Cousins to the point that he may consider bolting out of Sacramento, if he's presented with that opportunity. There were also rumors that Cousins' camp was against the hiring of Karl, though both parties eventually denied the report. Then, there was this report by Bleacher Report via CBS Sports that the Kings attempted to move Cousins by last season's trade deadline.
NBA analysts believe the uncertainty of Cousins' future with the Kings made the All-NBA second teamer available this offseason. The Lakers, armed with a lottery pick, young talents like Julius Randle and significant expiring contract in Jordan Hill (if his $9MM second year team option is exercised, can make a run for Cousins, according to Drew Garrison of SB Nation.
Averaging 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, the 24-year old Cousins is by far the league most dominant big man on both ends of the floor. This is the reason why the Lakers are salivating to acquire this budding star because of his incredible upside as he can be in the same mold as other previous Lakers centers like Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Wilt Chamberlain who once lorded the paint and powered the franchise to several championships.
As for the Kings, who already have the no.6 overall pick, acquiring the no.2 pick allows them to have two lottery selections with which they can use in selecting future cornerstones of the team. They are projected to use their sixth pick for a point guard (D'Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay), but the second pick would guarantee them either Towns or Okafor, who are considered by pundits as future star big men.
Meanwhile, if the Lakers look for a wildcard move, then they could engage into a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers on swapping their lottery picks. There are rumors circulating around that the Sixers are interested to swap their no.3 pick with the Lakers no.2 pick to make sure they can get the best playmaker in the class in Russell. The Lakers can still select Jahlil Okafor or European big man Kriztaps Porzingis at no.3 and might steal Joel Embiid in the deal.
Yes, Embiid, last year's no.4 overall pick whose misery of having a seemingly incurable foot injury continues following another setback in his recovery last week. Scouts may have called him the next Hakaeem Olajuwon, but Embiid hasn't stepped his fragile foot on an NBA court. So why would the Lakers bother to get him?
It's plainly based on potential alone. Embiid might have a fatherly set of bones in his foot, yet the immense potential of becoming the next 20-10 guy in the league remains intact. Moreover, the Lakers wouldn't risk too much as they can still get their guy at no.3 while having the luxury of waiting for Embiid to prove everybody that he's not the next Hasheem Thabeet.
Barring a crazy offer (Kevin Durant, eh?) coming out of nowhere, these are the options the Lakers should consider if they would ever want to deal away the top-2 pick. As the draft draws closer, the Lakers are expected to get more enticing offer that would test their patience and conviction to hold onto the pick.
