The curious case of DeMarcus Cousins continues as the Sacramento Kings stand by the idea they are not trading the center while the team keeps getting linked to trade rumors. Executive Vlade Divac has said time and time against that the Kings are not interested in dealing away Cousins, but teams keep throwing them trade packages that might force Sacramento's hand. The latest team is the Denver Nuggets as they eagerly try to move up the draft board.
According to ESPN's Chad Ford, the Denver Nuggets are trying to get the Kings No.6 draft pick. They are offering up a package that includes Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried and the No.7 draft pick in exchange for the Kings' top pick and Cousins. Joe Kotoch of SheridanHoops.com took it further saying that the new head coach Mike Malone and general manager Pete D'Alessandro are looking to overhaul the Denver roster and are engaging with the Kings about acquiring Cousins.
It would be a real surprise to see the Kings move Cousins. Plenty of teams are interested in the center, including Sacramento. However, a package of Lawson and Faried is very tempting considering they fill big needs for the Kings. Sacramento has been linked to point guards in the draft. If someone like Emmanuel Mudiay was already selected, they could be enticed to pull the trigger on a trade.
This is certainly not the first time Cousins' name has been tossed around in trade talk. The Boston Celtics are very interested in the center as they look to acquire an elite big man. They have tossed around ideas of packages for the team while the New York Knicks could dangle the No.4 pick in front of Sacramento for the star.
According to Divac, he would not trade Cousins for anyone other than Michael Jordan himself. The executive have combatted trade rumors all season long, most recently at the NFL Draft when teams wondered if he would be made available. The Kings must decide if they will either build around Cousins or replace him with draft picks and youth to properly rebuild. Sacramento could get some very good packages for Cousins that will have the team at least toying with the idea. However, most sources believe that in the end the Kings will retain the star.