NBA Trade Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins Could Help New Jersey Nets Land Dwight Howard

DeMarcus Cousins' situation in Sacramento with the Kings isn't looking too hot, and whether you believe he's on the trading block or not, I would expect the New Jersey Nets to at least inquire about the possibility.

After a seeming falling-out with head coach Paul Westphal, Cousins demanded a trade, opening up the flood gates for speculation as to where he might go.

One thing's for certain: it will be extremely difficult to get sufficient value in return for the second-year big man who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds in his rookie season.

The Nets already have two serviceable big men in Kris Humphries and an injured Brook Lopez, so why would they be interested?

Well, if New Jersey can find a way to land Cousins, they would instantly have the best package to supply the Orlando Magic with for Dwight Howard. Combined with Lopez, the Nets might be giving up a lot, but do they really have a choice?

The Nets can do no better than a Howard-Deron Williams pairing when they enter their new arena in Brooklyn next season. But they can certainly do worse. If they fail to land D12, Williams will almost certainly be gone and the Brooklyn Nets will be picking up right where the New Jersey Nets left off—losing.

Even if the Nets can't land Howard, they will still have a very formidable pairing with Lopez and Cousins in the paint, which might be enough to keep Williams. If not, at least they have more than just Lopez and a bunch of other guys who won't amount to much.

So, what can the Nets offer the Kings? I can't say for sure, but they do have two expiring contracts in Humphries ($8 million) and newly-acquired Mehmet Okur ($10 million). One of those two contracts could create cap space for Sacramento to go out and get themselves another big man in the offseason.

Combined with either one of those players, the Nets can offer multiple first-round picks, as many as necessary, in order to sweeten the deal for Cousins. New Jersey won't need those picks to help trade for Howard if their package includes both Cousins and Lopez.

One snag this deal will hit will be the fact that Sacramento will almost certainly want Brook Lopez in return for Cousins, if they're willing to talk trade at all. In that case, there will be no benefit in making this deal.

That being said, I'm a realist and there is no question it will take quite a bit of luck for New Jersey and ineptitude from the Kings, to get this trade done if it doesn't include Lopez.

I'm no insider and I'm not sure what the Nets think their chances are of still acquiring Howard in a trade, but their chances could only increase if Cousins were a part of the deal. That's why, despite its unrealistic nature, New Jersey still must make the attempt at almost any cost.

It's also possible that many within the organization could feel that Howard might be unattainable at this point. In that case, the Nets have no choice but to try and swing a deal for Cousins. He and Lopez will be the best options not named Dwight Howard to keep Williams with the Nets past this season.