NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Teams That Would Love to Add DeMarcus Cousins
An athlete with an attitude problem that gets in his own way is one of the most frustrating things for a fan to have to watch. You find yourself saying over and over again, "If he'd just get himself in check, he'd be one of the best in the league."
Many times, professional franchises say the exact same thing and then take the chance on the player in question, thinking they can straighten him out and cash in on the talent.
That's what the Sacramento Kings did when they picked DeMarcus Cousins fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft.
Cousins is big, athletic and looks like a star in the making. He's also short-fused and volatile. After his suspension for getting in a scuffle with teammate Donte Greene, is Sacramento better off trading Cousins?
Here are 10 teams that would consider making such a deal.
10. Indiana Pacers
1 of 10
Here's the proposition: Sacramento gets Danny Granger and Jeff Foster; Indiana gets DeMarcus Cousins and Samuel Dalembert.
The teams swap promising young stars and expiring contracts. Sacramento gets the better young star and Indiana gets the better expiring contract.
Sacramento might need to include a draft pick.
9. Detroit Pistons
2 of 10
Detroit has been presumably trying to dump either Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince or both. They can't get rid of both to Sacramento. (The Kings don't want Hamilton's two remaining seasons after 2011.)
But Prince's contract is up at the end of the year, giving the Kings cap relief and freedom. If Detroit were to toss in a second round pick or Tracy McGrady's expiring contract, Sacramento might just bite.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
3 of 10
Would Sacramento swap one troubled player for a slightly less troubled player? O.J. Mayo got in a fight with teammate Tony Allen earlier this year over an unsettled gambling debt.
That's minor compared to Cousins' repeated issues. He's been fined, suspended and benched for his antics.
Memphis has not been happy with rumored propositions, supposedly because they want more. Cousins is a very talented player. Add in Luther Head's expiring contract and maybe even a draft pick and this deal becomes more feasible.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
4 of 10
Cleveland would take on just about anyone at this point if it meant an upgrade in talent. They've been shopping Anthony Parker's expiring contract and could find a buyer in Sacramento.
There are ways that a deal swapping Cousins for Parker can work. The numbers are easy to flesh out. It would come down to Sacramento's demand. There isn't much on the Cavs roster worth trading for. But a first-round draft pick might do the trick.
6. Philadelphia 76ers
5 of 10
Thaddeus Young heads and DeMarcus Cousins switch coasts. It might take more than just Young for the Kings to make the move. Maybe if the 76ers were to throw in a second round pick, it would work.
Philadelphia would receive a slight upgrade to its front court, and Sacramento would get a promising young player with an expiring contract. I don't see a problem for either side, unless the Kings want more.
5. New Jersey Nets
6 of 10
New Jersey wants to get rid of Troy Murphy's expiring contract via trade instead of just buying it out. Sacramento may consider dropping DeMarcus Cousins for cap relief even if it doesn't replace him long term.
Murphy isn't playing for the Nets, but Sacramento could try giving him a run. If he doesn't contribute, oh well. His contract is gone at the end of the year and the Kings have room to make a signing. Maybe money to sign a second first-round draft pick that New Jersey sent their way.
4. Orlando Magic
7 of 10
Orlando needs a big man to complement Dwight Howard's defensive presence. When Howard is not in the game, the Magic don't have an intimidating figure in the paint.
Obtaining DeMarcus Cousins would help offset that problem. Even if the Magic keep Ryan Anderson in the starting lineup for his shooting and bring Cousins off the bench, they would have a better lineup to match up with the likes of Boston and Los Angeles.
Brandon Bass would be a sensible trade piece, financially. He's a player that can contribute for the Kings right away and his contract only has one more left on it after this season.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
8 of 10
The Clippers have supposedly had Chris Kaman on the trading block for some time. He just returned from injury and is an all-star caliber player when at his best.
But Los Angeles would relish the opportunity to continue stacking its front court with youth. DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin are 22 and 21-years-old respectively. Putting Jordan on the bench in favor of the 20-year-old Cousins would create great depth for the Clippers.
Los Angeles could unload Kaman's contract—which expires in 2012—and the Kings could receive a reliable player. The trade would work straight up, but Sacramento might require a draft pick.
2. Houston Rockets
9 of 10
Houston is shopping Yao Ming's expiring contract. Sacramento is ready to scrap this season and look to the future.
Sacramento can't make a straight trade with Ming and Cousins because of salary cap restrictions. But if you throw in Cousin's buddy Donte Greene, the number work.
Houston gets a center for the future and the Kings get cap relief.
1. New York Knicks
10 of 10
The New York Knicks want to dump Eddy Curry and his expiring contract. They've also had power forward Anthony Randolph on the trading block in seemingly every deal the team is rumored to be a part of.
Sacramento isn't going to just want cap relief and be happy taking Curry. But receiving Randolph as well would help provide some depth for the remainder of 2011.
The Knicks could use a physical presence inside. They should jump at this deal if given the chance. They would still have cap space to acquire Carmelo Anthony in free agency.
Suddenly, New York could roll out Amar'e Stoudemire, Cousins, Anthony, Raymond Felton and Landry Fields as its starting five with Danilo Gallinari coming off the bench.
