NBA Draft Rumors: Is Demarcus Cousins Putting Al Jefferson on The Trading Block?

Usually when people think of a big man on the court, they think enforcer, a shot blocker, a presence in the paint. What people didn't realize was that before, the "dunk" was a form of disrespect in the NBA, way before my time of course.

I can only imagine what the NBA's elite big men back then used to do to score.

Let's take a look at Al Jefferson. Two years ago, Al Jefferson was arguably the best scoring big man in the NBA, please consider: 23 PPG, 11 RPG, 2 BPG. The way he does it is his array of post moves and his incredible basketball I.Q on the offensive end. A constant threat to score in the low post, Al Jefferson drew double and triple teams, and even then that did not stop him at times.

Standing at 6'10'', with a 7'3'' wingspan, one would figure that Al Jefferson has the well-developed frame and length to be a force on the defensive end. However, due to a lack of defensive awareness and effort, Al Jefferson is arguably the worst defensive big in the league.

Although he shows slow progress on the defensive end as of late, he's still a liability at times. However, he did look better with Darko Milicic next to him, he even blocked six shots (three in one possession).

Looking at this upcoming draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the fourth overall pick. More than likely, the Wolves are a lock to pick between Demarcus Cousins and Wesley Johnson. This presents a problem. While Wesley Johnson is a great NBA prospect, Demarcus Cousins is clearly the best player available at No. 4.

Drafting Demarcus Cousins would create a log jam at the four and five position. The Wolves would have a four-five rotation that features Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, and Darko Milicic, and although that four-way quad could be terrific, there's not enough minutes to go around.

This is probably why Al Jefferson will be traded. This rumor has come up in recent days.

"In talking to a number of league sources in the run-up to the draft, HOOPSWORLD keeps hearing one name, in particular, involving possible draft day trades. We've heard plenty of rumors involving Minnesota Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson , and it turns out that where there's smoke there is definitely fire. Quite a few teams have indicated that Al Jefferson is one of their primary targets this summer."

In 2008, Al Jefferson averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, and nearly 2 blocks a game, then suffered a torn ACL and had around nine months to get himself back into shape. Usually, an ACL takes over a year for a player to get his rhythm back, and for Al Jefferson, as expected, his rehabilitation is still in progress.

I don't say Al was in game shape until around game 40, and even so, it was already too late for Al to make an impact. While he was still averaging roughly 18 points, 10 rebounds, and a block a game, accompanied with a lot of losses, chemistry issues, new coaches, and new teammates, it was inevitable that Al wasn't playing as hard as the beast that had big men around the league tremble just a year ago.

While David Kahn, the president of basketball operations, has said recently that a trade that would involve Al Jefferson would have to be one that would benefit the franchise only, it seems that there are some takers for him.

I doubt that any rumors would circulate in relation to "draft night" if the Wolves weren't intending to draft Demarcus Cousins. It would make sense, right?

Trading Al Jefferson say to the Sacramento Kings (part of the rumor) for their fifth overall pick would give the Wolves a frontcourt duo of Kevin Love and Darko Milicic (whom it looks like they will re-sign). The Wolves would need a stretch or athletic power forward to come off the bench, and while those are a rare commodity as far as the NBA's best are concerned, Al Jefferson and Demarcus Cousins aren't those types of players.

However, the best NBA comparison for Demarcus Cousins has and always have been Al Jefferson. They play eerily similarly, except it appears that Demarcus will be better in the long term—not to mention trading Al would save them cap room to possibly make a run in free agency, and/or doing sign and trades.

A trio of Cousins, Love, and Milicic would provide Wolves with interchangeable bigs. Please consider:

Kevin Love:

- Elite rebounder and fundamentally sound
- Three-point range and mid-range shots stretches the floor.
- High motor, high energy and effort, and basketball I.Q
- Great passer

Darko Milicic:

- 7-foot plus, very long and wide.
- Great passer and high basketball I.Q
- Mid-range game, low post scoring
- Left handed
- Good all-around defender

Demarcus Cousins

- Extremely aggressive and assertive.
- Low post scoring, mid-range scoring, potential to shoot three-point shots
- NBA body at 19 years old
- 6'11'', long wingspan, large hands, and developed frame
- Defensive potential, defensive fundamentals and tools

In my opinion, these three can complement each other in that they are completely different players.

Don't be surprised if the Wolves deal Al Jefferson on draft night, but know that what the Wolves are getting back can only benefit the franchise. Al Jefferson is too good of a scorer in the post, and that's a rare commodity in the NBA—a big that's great on the low block.