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NBA Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins Could Be Traded To The Lakers, Knicks, Or Celtics In The Offseason

By Phillip Dengler
Published on: 09:33 PST, Mar 17, 2016

With the 2016 NBA trade deadline behind us, rumors are heating up regarding the Sacramento Kings and their upcoming offseason personnel moves. While numerous Kings’ players have been in trade discussions over the past few months, the team did not make any major moves. Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was at the top of most competing team’s trade wish lists, and there is a chance that he could ultimately be traded over the summer. While there are no guarantees, the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics are potential destinations for Cousins.

With an awful record of 26-41, the Sacramento Kings are once again going to miss the NBA playoffs. While Cousins has improved vastly since his rookie season, his elite play at the center position has not translated into victories for the Kings. Regardless, the Kings’ organization is not doing Cousins any favors, and there are plenty of NBA executives that believe he could greatly improve their teams.

As Basketball Insiders reports, Cousins and Kings head coach George Karl have not seen eye-to-eye during their time together.

“The reason George Karl was hired in the first place was because he was a credible and proven playoff coach. He might not win a championship, but he’s gotten teams with far less talent into the dance and he was a face the franchise could sell. The reason Cousins was not traded this past summer was tied to the same goal; the best path to the postseason was with Cousins in the fold and the Kings, specifically ownership, knew the only face they really had to sell in a uniform was Cousins. So the shotgun wedding that was entirely about getting into the playoffs hasn’t worked out, and the Kings are eyeing a 10th straight lottery appearance. A decade of futility and another offseason of doubt and questions surround the Kings. Ownership did not get their playoff run in advance of the opening of the new building and change in the offseason is not only needed, but almost required.”

With another season of missing the playoffs, the Kings have to start making drastic changes. While Cousins’ 27.2 points per game, 11.4 rebounds per game, and 1.4 blocks per game are all great averages, it may be time to trade him and attempt to move the franchise in a different direction.

While Kings’ management has denied reports that they would consider moving Cousins in the offseason, numerous NBA insiders believe that he could be traded for the right price. Since Cousins will only be 26-years-old next season, he is going to require a huge return in a potential deal.

As USA Today reports, Cousins has previously been linked to the Lakers, Knicks, Magic, Celtics, Mavericks, and Rockets. With Cousins set to make $16.9 million next year and $18 million the following year, many teams in the NBA would be able to absorb his team-friendly contract.

While the Lakers and Knicks are always going to be rumored to be involved when an elite player is available, the Boston Celtics could be the most likely destination for Cousins. As reported by the Inquisitr, many insiders around the league feel that the Celtics are in one of the best positions in the league to land a star player in the offseason. While Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant was the focus of the report, there is no guarantee that he even leaves the Thunder.

With a record of 39-29, the Celtics are a young team that is on the rise. Head coach Brad Stevens is viewed as one of the top young basketball minds in the NBA, and the team and organization have responded positively to his leadership. While playing Cousins has not led to wins for the Sacramento Kings, there is a chance that Stevens could better incorporate him into the Celtics offense. Since the Celtics play in the Eastern Conference, as opposed to the tougher Western Conference, Cousins could also see more success against the weaker teams.

With the Sacramento Kings set to miss the NBA playoffs again, rumors are going to continue to involve DeMarcus Cousins being traded. Since the trade deadline for the current season has passed, the Kings will have to wait until the summer to move their star center. While it is still early in the process, some of the top teams that could trade for Cousins include the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics.

[Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]

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