NBA Trade Rumors: Kings' DeMarcus Cousins Ill-Advised for New Jersey Nets

With both Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries currently on the shelf, the New Jersey Nets' frontcourt depth is wearing awfully thin. Because of that, trading for troubled Sacramento Kings' center DeMarcus Cousins is an option, but I think it would be a mistake.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the Nets have inquired about Cousins, the No. 4 pick in the 2010 NBA draft. While Cousins has denied it, Kings' head coach Paul Westphal said that the talented youngster requested a trade.

There is no denying Cousins' talent, as he is averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game on the season, but he has been a problem child during his two years in the NBA and as a collegiate player at Kentucky. That type of attitude certainly isn't something the 1-6 Nets need right now.

I understand that owner Mikhail Prokhorov wants to shake things up, as his team has performed well below expectations, but this isn't the move to make. If anything, I think the Nets should continue their pursuit of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, as he would truly change the dynamics of the team.

Humphries is due to return from his shoulder injury any day now, and Lopez is likely to heal from foot surgery at some point in February. I understand that if the Nets stand pat until February, it might be too late to make a playoff run, but there's no use chasing after a toxic player, especially when assets are needed to trade for Howard.

Perhaps the Nets have called off their pursuit of Howard after the Magic rejected an offer prior to the season, but I think New Jersey needs to go big or go home. While acquiring Cousins may show the fans that the Nets are committed to winning, I think the effect will be negligible.

If Cousins comes back and Lopez returns in February, then where does that leave Cousins at that point? Lopez is already assured of the starting center spot and I would imagine that Humphries' solid play has him locked in at power forward. If Cousins has to play a bench role, then who's to say he won't whine and complain some more?

The other issue here is trying to convince point guard Deron Williams to re-sign. He can't be too heartened by the way the season has gone to this point, and it may take a splashy acquisition like Howard to keep him in the fold next season. Something tells me that Cousins won't be sufficient in that regard.

All things considered, I understand why the Nets would think about taking a chance on a talent like Cousins, but it really isn't a good fit. When healthy, the Nets have two interior players that are probably better than Cousins, so his playing time would greatly diminish in New Jersey in all likelihood.

Make no mistake, the Nets have to do something, but trading for Cousins simply isn't it.