The Sacramento Kings flirted with a DeMarcus Cousins trade to the LA Lakers earlier this summer and heading into the end of August that deal is not likely happening and coming into training camp the team has a backup for Rajon Rondo after signing Seth Curry to a free agent contract following his strong NBA Summer League play. The team also could consider bringing back Reggie Evans on a free agent deal.
The Kings have been fairly active this offseason and they have brought in a number of new players, including Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and Caron Butler. Head coach George Karl reportedly wanted to trade Cousins earlier this offseason and Yahoo Sports reported Sacramento and Los Angeles exchanged a "framework" for a trade at that time. The deal did not come close to happening and moving forward Karl said to Yahoo that he thinks the relationship with Cousins can be salvaged. Karl and Cousins have both come out in recent weeks and said they can work things out.
UPDATE: Bleacher Report's Howard Beck writes that some within the Kings organization still wants Cousins traded. Check here for more.
The Sacramento Bee reported earlier last month that a trade with Cousins "remains on the table" depending on how this season goes, but there is nothing recent regarding a deal. Jason Jones reports that the trade for Cousins could be "in play" later in the season, but that ownership is not currently looking to deal the center. Cousins had a big season last year, averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds per game for the Kings. Cousins likely will not be moved unless something drastic happens this season.
The Kings signed Rondo to a one-year deal in free agency this summer and he will be the starting point guard for Sacramento this season. The team added Seth Curry after he played very well in the Summer League with the Pelicans, with ESPN reporting that it's on a two year deal worth $2 million. Curry is a solid backup option for Rondo with Darren Collison coming back from an injury, although he has limited NBA experience. Curry could be a nice compliment for Rondo, as he has a good outside shot and can play defense.
Marc Stein at ESPN reports that Curry's deal is fully guaranteed for the first season and the second year has a player option. Curry averaged over 20 points per game during the Summer League with 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists while playing in 33 minutes per game in six games. Curry may have a hard time getting minutes behind Darren Collison, Ben McLemore, Marco Belinelli and James Anderson, but he is a low risk, high upside option for the Kings.
Sheridan Hoops reports that Evans is a potential option to return to the Kings this season, as Cousins has expressed support for bringing him back. Evans played in only 47 games last season and he averaged 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 points per game. Evans could be a nice option off the bench and he has shown that he can be a strong rebounder on both sides of the floor. Also, if Cousins likes Evans and it doesn't cost much for the Kings, it's a win-win move for the franchise to at least keep Cousins happy.