I'm not big on DeRozan. The last thing I want is a 5 year, 9 figure deal for a tweener. He's not a superstar, but he's better than a starter. He's not defensively elite, not a good 3 point shooter, and an average shooter. No thanks. Rather have Batum, he's a system player. Plays defense, does the dirty things. Doesn't need the ball but can score. And If we can get him around $10-15M then I prefer him. Durant is not coming. He wants to win. OKC gives him a much better chance and OKC can still grab a solid FA if they waive Waiters and Morrow. No OKC? Boston presents a better option, as does Houston, Miami, and Portland. The Bulls could sign and trade. Put yourself in KDs shoes. He's going to be 28, he's had major injuries, and he just got usurped by Steph Curry as the next great player after LeBron. He's not waiting for the Lakers to mature and finally win at age 33. There are no guarantees. Unfortunately for us, KD would be a Laker if the timing worked out.
yep, had the lakers not epically sucked for the last three years, I think we'd be planning on Durant coming this summer. as things stand, I'll be somewhat surprised if we get a meeting.
Oh c'mon. If he's going to do a FA tour, he's going to meet with the Lakers. That's not even a question.
Oh sure, because this is a guy I want to trade a top 3 pick and one of our young core for. http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/04/29...mmates/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter Locker room cancer, loser, coach killer, no thanks.
Is this for real, Doc? Because if so I think I'm finally interested. If we only give up the pick and vets. I don't think I'd break up the core for Cousins, especially as he spoke so highly about them and I believe they would be a big reason he'd want to come here. If you can keep the core together and still get him for the pick and vets, heck yeah, I'm on board. He's a headache, but a major talent and I think he wants to win. Get a coach who will utilize him and that he'd respect and let's go. For the record, I think Mitch wants him, too.
A year ago, Cousins was untouchable. A year later, the sense within the organization is Divac is tempted by the prospect of pairing his center with his personally selected coach but that he has become increasingly frustrated by his center’s ongoing issues and, for the first time, is willing to test the market for the two-time All-Star. http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ailene-voisin/article71958407.html
If we keep the pick, there will certainly be talks and rumors of us trading it along with one or two of our young studs. So, how do you (personally, not what you think other teams want) rank the value of those 5 pieces? My order would be: 1. Russell 2. Ingram or Simmons 3. Randle 4. #3 pick if we fell 5. Clarkson
Anyone else think he's trying his hardest to make them trade him. Maybe he knows there's only certain teams that have the cap room and or assets (Boston, Lakers, ?) and just wants the hell out of Sac Town? (am not condoning it) Don't break up the core but if the pick and even Clarkson, much as I'd like to see him develop under a great coach with the Lakers, I'd be down with it. The guy's a beast and talented. Him and Randle on the front line, when Cousins can shoot the ball as well as dominate inside. :Headbang:
Demarcus giving our core high praise is one of the things that turned me around completely on him. http://www.lakersnation.com/demarcus-cousins-has-high-praise-for-lakers-young-core/2016/03/16/ In the video link, Julius talks about his relationship with Cousins from Kentucky. Really cool. They've got mutual respect.
A talented malcontent with character defects; seems the one time he had no trouble was with Mike Malone. I'd stay away, but I'm not sure the Lakers will; Sacramento just hired a GM too work w/Vlade. Their going to demand a lot, and I'm sure with the C Bags getting ousted again in the first round, Mr. Ainge will be on the market for a player that improve his team this summer.
I don't want to see him go to the hated ones. He could do DAMAGE - and I don't mean the self-destructive kind. Brad Stevens might be able to get the best out of him and that would be brutal. Yikes. If he's not with us I love him being on the Kings because they just aren't going to go anywhere. But if he finds the right situation, watch out.
They can demand a lot, but I see the offers for him being less than great. He's a malcontent and they'll trading him at maybe his lowest value. I think it's a mistake personally. As it is, we're shaping up to be in a war directly with Boston for a lot of the same resources. They've got picks to trade and they need to upgrade their roster. They're going to be looking heavily at trying to acquire Cousins and/or Butler if they can. Sounds familiar.
I hear you. I think the Lakers will look very closely at him, and they should. I just wouldn't touch him. Either way, if both the C Bags are Lakers keep their picks (not currently sure what Boston's pick situation is like), the C Bags have more trade assets. They have 2-3 players plus a boatload of picks. We've have to give up one of Clarkson, Randle, and Russell, plus our top 3 pick and probably our 32nd. That's the outline of a deal I heard Sac wanted for Cousins.
Boston's picks in 2016: Brooklyn's unprotected first Dallas' unprotected first Cleveland unprotected second Memphis unprotected second Miami unprotected second Minnesota unprotected second Philadelphia unprotected second Utah unprotected second They also have the right to swap picks with Brooklyn in the 1st in 2017 along with another 3-4 second rounders.
Gotcha. Thanks. The assistant GM of the Detroit Pistons is deep in talks with the Kings, reports Marc Stein of ESPN. Sources told ESPN.com that the Kings were drawn to Catanella’s versatile background in their search for a seasoned front office executive to work under vice president and general manager Vlade Divac. Catanella joined the Pistons for the 2011-12 season as director of basketball operations and was promoted to assistant general manager in 2014-15. In his previous two stops, Catanella worked with a focus in analytics in the league office and with the Nets. Sources say Mike Bratz will remain with the club as adviser to the GM and director of scouting. He has developed a strong rapport with Divac since Divac returned to the organization last season.' Maybe no more fleecing the Kings...
Boston has a ton of picks, but they're mostly second rounders. There's simply not that much value there... Now, if they get that Brooklyn pick in the Top 3 and we fall out... Then we're in trouble. That Top 3 pick with one of their guards and maybe Thomas will definitely be enough to net you Butler or Cousins. Meanwhile we'd have to give up probably two out of Russell, Randle, and Clarkson to get back a good player along with Lou Williams to net something good. Big summer coming up...
Cousins is an asset with a reasonable contract for two years. If the price to get him is reasonable, it might make sense to get that asset knowing in the back of your mind you can flip it for even more later. I'm not sure he'll ever be more than a talented malcontent, but so far he is big numbers have not translated into wins. Prior to this season, I don't think George Karl has ever even had a losing season. I'd have to look it up, but if you won't give him respect, I think you're asking for trouble without a strong executive team backing up a quality coach.