DeMarcus Cousins will be assumed as available for trades until opening night of the 2015 season and even then a team will be linked to a trade deal for the center. The Sacramento Kings have stated time and time again that Cousins is not available in deals and yet the center keeps having his name come up in deals heading into the offseason. Now, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics might actually have a chance to land Cousins before the draft.
According to Arian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Kings' head coach George Karl wants to trade Cousins. Sources report he is trying to get vice president Vlade Divac and owner Vivek Ranadive to unite in the idea of trading the center heading into the NBA Draft on Thursday. Wojnarowski reports that Cousins is very aware that Karl wants to trade him and there is a growing belief that this relationship might be irreparable.
This report goes against what Divac has been saying to the media. He continues to stress that Cousins is not being traded and instead the team will look to build around the big man with the No.6 draft pick. However, that is not stopping teams from the pursuit of Cousins. Marc Stein of ESPN is reporting that Los Angeles Lakers are prepared to actively pursue a trade that could involve surrendering Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and the No.2 draft pick for the center. That is certainly an enticing package for the Sacramento Kings that would help free up cap space moving forward.
The New York Knicks are expected to get involved with the No.4 pick if it is revealed that Cousins really is available. Phil Jackson has made it clear via the New York Post that he wants experience over top rookies and a center is the team's biggest need. That means the Knicks could send the No.4 pick along with other assets like Tim Hardaway Jr, Langston Galloway or Lou Amundson to the Kings. That package is not as enticing to Sacramento as the Lakers offer would be.
The Boston Celtics would also be expected to be at the front lines of negotiating. The Boston Herald has reported the Celtics have explored a trade for Cousins several times. They originally tried to offer up Rajon Rondo in a deal that went nowhere. Boston has stockpiled draft picks they can offer the Kings along with players like Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger and even Isaiah Thomas if the Kings like the idea.
If Cousins is going to be traded, it will happen in the next two days. If Sacramento is serious about getting rid of the center then they will seek draft picks to use this year, not down the road. If Cousins and Karl really have a damaged relationship, the only option might be to seek a deal and rebuild immediately.
