NBA Trade Rumors: Examining Buzz on Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins and More
Just ahead of the NBA free-agency frenzy starting on Wednesday, most of the buzz around the Association will be regarding where the big names on the open market might land.
But there are several marquee players being whispered about in trade talks, according to the latest rumors. One familiar name among them is Sacramento Kings All-Star DeMarcus Cousins.
Kings coach George Karl is reportedly pushing to ship the mercurial center out of town before he really digs into his tenure in Sacramento. A consistently linked suitor for Cousins is the Los Angeles Lakers, even with the addition of No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell.
Read on for an update on the Cousins situation and some more buzz featuring, Eric Bledsoe and another All-Star guard.
Suns to Explore Trade Market for Eric Bledsoe
A rumor reported by The Journal Times' Gery Woelfel recently indicated Phoenix would lock up Brandon Knight to a five-year, $70 million deal as a restricted free agent.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein cited Woelfel as the context for the buzz he's heard on Bledsoe, which intimates that the Suns will look to trade him with Knight locked up for the foreseeable future:
An anonymous general manager explained the complicated nature of Bledsoe's potential departure from the desert to Sporting News' Sean Deveney, who cites the Sacramento Kings as an interested suitor.
"There was a reason," said the GM, "that no one wanted to give him that ($70 million) contract last year. I think you still have to worry about his health. I think you worry about how coachable he is, too."
Phoenix GM Ryan McDonough just can't seem to sit still when it comes to dealing point guards. Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas were siphoned off just before the most recent trade deadline, and Bledsoe may be next.
One would figure the Suns would at least like a chance to see if Bledsoe and Knight can coexist despite playing the same position. A similar arrangement between Dragic and Bledsoe helped Phoenix to a surprising 48 wins in 2013-14.
The notion of reuniting with his former teammate in Cousins with the Kings could help sway momentum for Bledsoe to get out of Phoenix, where it doesn't seem he's particularly wanted. Bledsoe would be an ideal catalyst for Karl's uptempo Sacramento offense.
Lakers Not Pursuing DeMarcus Cousins Trade—For Now
All the leaked intel cited before about LA's apparent willingness to sell the farm for Cousins, including Russell, may still hold serious weight.
At least for now, Cousins will remain a King until the Lakers finish their free-agency courtships, per ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne:
When Russell was drafted over national champion Duke center Jahlil Okafor, the presumption was that L.A. would go after a more proven free-agent alternative to address the gaping hole at the position. Other rumors have supported that school of thought.
Clippers center and impending free agent DeAndre Jordan will meet with the Lakers, according to USA Today's Sam Amick. Shelburne reports the same is true for past Portland Trail Blazers All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, who could conceivably play the 5, to kick off his line of meetings.
If the Lakers miss out on both Jordan and Aldridge, along with any of the other bigs they may pursue, perhaps the Cousins talks will regain traction. It appears L.A. is pleased to have Russell, though, so he may no longer be on the table in a potential deal.
There's no reason for the Lakers to rush into acquiring Cousins if they really want him. They will ultimately have the leverage later on if Karl indeed is eager to get Cousins off the squad and the Kings can't work out an arrangement with someone else.
Joe Johnson to Memphis Talks on Hold
Stein has an interesting tidbit regarding the Brooklyn Nets star, reporting that the Grizzlies inquired about Johnson but couldn't come to an agreement.
Brooklyn does feel it will find a taker for Johnson, though, as he enters the final year of his contract that will pay him $24.9 million in salary. If Memphis is keen on upgrading its perimeter offense, it could do a lot worse than adding Johnson.
ESPN Stats & Info highlighted the outside shooting issues Memphis had last season on draft night—before it selected LSU forward Jarell Martin in the opening round:
"Grizzlies on the clock. They were 29th in 3-pointers made. They’ve been in the bottom 4 in 3-pointers made each of the last 6 seasons.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 26, 2015"
Playing for a floundering, thin team in the Eastern Conference has seen Johnson not live up to his contract. A move to a West contender could galvanize him, and at age 34, Johnson has the incentive of one more big payday to play for.
The Grizzlies have plenty of defense, provided they can retain Marc Gasol. Their championship window could still slam shut soon since Zach Randolph also turns 34 next month, so they need to find offense on the wing better than the inconsistent Jeff Green and Courtney Lee, who averaged a combined 23.2 points per game in 2014-15.
Tony Allen prides himself on being a lockdown perimeter defender and won't ever help much to put the ball in the bucket. It's time for Memphis to get serious about adding explosive scoring if it wants to get serious about hanging a banner in the Grindhouse using its gritty philosophy.
