NBA Rumors: Sacramento Kings Should Listen to Trade Offers for DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins and former Sacramento Kings head coach Paul Westphal didn’t always see eye-to-eye. They don’t have to worry about that any longer now that ownership decided to fire Westphal on Thursday.

Because of the fallout, Sacramento received calls about Cousins from eight different teams, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof are not prepared to give up on the guy. It sounds crazy to trade such a young and talented player, but they should at least listen to trade offers.

Eight teams have something different to offer Sacramento who is just 3-5 on the season. It’s apparent that the Kings aren’t ready to compete yet in the Western Conference. It would be an awful idea to just turn on your head and continue your season without at least listening to offers that could make your team better in return.

Maybe there is a deal that could get them two first-round draft picks in the future along with guys who can help their team next year or the year after. Maybe there is a deal that would “wow” management.

You don’t know until you listen to offers. Stein lists the teams interested here.

"

"According to sources close to the situation, they are: Boston, Detroit, Indiana, New Jersey and Washington. (Portland, Houston and Utah are the others.)"

"

We have seen what a team like New Jersey would give away for a talented player. They gave up two first-round draft picks, Devin Harris and Derrick Favors for Deron Williams.

There could be a deal lying in the wings similar to that one hopefully with a better end-result. 

It shouldn’t surprise anybody if the Kings kept Cousins because that’s the right thing to do. He’s only 21 years old, and he is producing at a high level when given minutes. This season he has averaged 14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds in only 26 minutes per game. That is production at a very high level.

The problem is his character. When things aren’t going his way he’ll let you know about it whether it’s his temper, body language or attitude. Acting this way shouldn’t result in being traded two years into your career, but it has to throw up a red flag.

At some point he’s going to grow up (at least you hope) so there is a chance of him developing into player who will attend multiple NBA All-Star games. But that’s the risk you have to take.

If you feel that trading Cousins for multiple draft picks and quality players helps the team in the long run then you have to at least consider pulling the trigger.