Demarcus Cousins?

Per Howard Beck of Bleacher Report

'Sources say Karl would love to acquire Ty Lawson—if the rebuilding Nuggets were to make him available—or any other members of his last Nuggets team, which won 57 games in 2012-13. Karl wants players who move the ball and push the tempo, and that could mean wild upheaval on the Kings roster. Even DeMarcus Cousins, their franchise center, is not untouchable, according to a source with insight into Karl’s thinking. “At the trade deadline, everyone was available,” the person said. Including Cousins? “Every single person (on the Kings roster) was available.” Although Karl does not hold a front office title, “he definitely has control” of future personnel decisions, the source said.'

He's a a head case. I know this very well; all of us do. Just throwing it out there. We get a pick outside of the top 3; we have Hill an Lin's bird rights, Karl wants to play a fast-paced open style that Lin would thrive in, they'll need another big and Hill could fit right in, they get a top 5 pick.

What do we get? A nut. Tough personality but supremely talented when engaged; Another All-Star locked in post Kobe paired up with Randle, and a guy that could finally play the 5. I'd rather invest my long term cap money into him than Love and or Rondo if we're trying to hit a home run this off-season I might be crazy, and some of you will can call me that, but I'd do it.

 

I honestly wouldn't mind this. I think it would either work out great with him, Kobe and Scott or completely fall apart rather quickly though. But who knows, he might just respect Kobe enough to fall in line.

 

Hire Mike Malone as an assistant to Scott; a guy who DeMarcus truly admires/respects and bought into; he'll help keep DeMarcus in line and give DeMarcus more familiarity when transitioning into an unknown situation. Plus, we're a first-class organization, have solid management; Sacramento is a joke. From the owner all the way on down...

 

I don't see Cousins leaving Sactown anytime soon. And if he does, I don't see why the Kings would trade him to a division rival.

 

in a freekin heartbeat

 

I don't pay very much attention to the Kings, but what exactly has Cousins done to get such a bad reputation? I've never heard of any off-the-court issues, only a few outbursts of anger while on the court. That means he actually cares about the game. It's a good thing IMO. I would strongly consider trading the #5 pick for Cousins.

 

Cousins, is just the kind of player we take a chance on. Him and Randle will be a force together. I feel sealing him in the Lakers is worth using our pick for unless we can sneak into 1st or 2nd place which we can't. Hopefully while Karl makes the Sacramento Nuggets with his moves we can take advantage. I even say trade Nick Young as their JR Smith (wait I get a feeling Karl hated Smith too).

We lose a good but by no means certain N.B.A top 5 pick, for a certain and N.B.A all star/fringe all star with room to grow. I do not buy Cousins is as bad as they say, he seems to be a trouble magnet more than a real cancer. I mean he's probably sick of being on the Kings right? If handled right this can be a new start for Cousins and a chance to steer the franchise in the right direction talent wise. He could definitely be an all star with L.A's exposure. Meta World Peace could be his guru (maybe not)

I think Cousins has more upside than Kevin Like, and Rondo (he is doing the headcase stuff now swearing at the coach thing) for me is not the PG I want despite his very special qualities as a P.G, I would rather have a very good pg, than a non shooting great pg.

Deep down i'm thinking Cousin's has grit, and hopefully that will be enough for Byron to connect with him. When I think of Cousin's issues, I see him as being like Bynum without the mentoring and experience of being in an organization like the Lakers. He would be the spark that changes our direction and gets traction towards a rebuild.

 

There's no much to think about. every opportunity we have to get Cousins in exchange to the draft pick/Hill/Lin is a must do.
One season with Kobe and Cousins will be a new player. Kobe dosen't mind crazy players, and he will charish every second of Cousins hard work after the Howard fiasco.
bring in Rondo to the party and thats a really cool team.

 

I'd throw everything AND the kitchen sink at Cousins.

 

Good points by Revgen; why would Sacramento do it? It'd have to be a very good package considering the talent that DeMarcus brings to the table. Also, why trade him to a division rival? Why would they want to see him 4 times a year in the same division? At the very least, if we trade them a top 5 pick and maybe couple that with other picks, players, and/or considerations, they'll go into June with 2 top 10 picks conceivably and more assets to go after Lawson and replenish the team with the young talent that Karl wants to build around for the foreseeable future while Karl is coaching there.

Do I think that will ultimately convince them? No. IMO, they'll strongly consider it, and I think Cousins would invite a change of scenery. I think since the coaching change he's been very disgruntled. He's came out with comments that have supported the organization and the direction they wanted to go, but I don't see he's been on the same page with them ever since the firing of Mike Malone. Plus, a lot of losing injected in with that, and I think if I'm the Lakers I would make the phone call? What's there too lose? We made the call to GS last year with our number 7 pick for Klay; why not do it this year with our pick and more attached to the potential transaction to add a cornerstone piece for years to come post-Kobe. You'll be competitive, you'll have Randle, Clarkson, and you'll still can add another Max when Kobe retires...just something to chew on.

 

They'll probably require Randle and or Clarkson, realistically, though; plus our top 5 pick. The only way I see this possibly getting done is with a 3-way trade and including Denver in the negotiations. Karl wants Lawson. Maybe Denver throws in another piece like Wilson and or a prospect because I do not under any circumstances want to get rid of Randle. The whole appeal of Boogie is playing with Randle, IMO. It'd be a really hard-sell, but it's worth a risk. If not, draft BPA, and add another cost-controlled rookie to our core...

 

Meh ..... that #5 pick is soooo yesterday. We're making our push for the playoffs this year.

 

I would 100% trade the top 5 pick for Cousins. If they'd take the Hill + Lin deal, great. But I don't think they'd want Hill if they're using the pick on a big, & I also don't think they'd want Lin if they got Lawson or used the pick on a PG. The player I could see them really coveting is Nick Young, He absolutely thrived under D'antoni's uptempo offense & would be a perfect fit for what Karl wants to do there. That doesn't change anything for me though Hill + Young + top 5 pick or Lin + Young + top 5 pick, either way sign me up.



The odds of drafting a player that can match or top those numbers with a top 5 pick are lower than the odds of drafting a bust or role player. If Randle lives up to his franchise player potential, we'd have the best frontcourt in the league.

 

The more I think about the more I'm seeing the benefit of potentially flipping this pick provided it falls outside the top 3. Cousins, Butler, T. Harris, are all going to be making 3rd option money and give us the flexibility of A.) Improving the roster for next season with a known talent that would lead to more wins B.) Gives the ability to add 2 more max contracts (considering their not on a mega deal like Melo) C.) A recruiting tool for FA's than instead of just relying on cap space and the additional wins would make L.A. more attractive as well as a possible FA destination.

It's not just the 3 players I mentioned...anybody locked into a rookie deal or coming up for an extension making $13-15 million.