NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics Want DeMarcus Cousins Trade, Willing To Offer Two Starters

Is DeMarcus Cousins heading to the Boston Celtics?

Cousins has become the latest NBA star to have his name linked to the Boston Celtics. Eventually, the Celtics will pull the trigger on a trade, but is DeMarcus Cousins the right fit, and would the Sacramento Kings be willing to trade him?

From Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls to Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin, several players have been mentioned as trade targets of the Boston Celtics. There was even an NBA trade rumor (courtesy of Complex Magazine) involving the Celtics and Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson, which became the center of a lot of controversy a couple of weeks ago. In that NBA trade rumor, the Celtics were allegedly trading guard Avery Bradley and forward Jae Crowder for the Warriors’ Thompson.

While it was an incredibly fun concept, former NBA player Brian Scalabrine talked about the NBA trade rumor on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s The Starting Lineup. His intentions were not to report it as news but to simply speak about it from a hypothetical perspective.

It is safe to say that Scalabrine, a beloved figure by the Celtics, Bulls, and Warriors, was speaking as a fan of the NBA. He spoke about the trade rumor as most fans talk about NBA trade rumors — Scalabrine was simply just having some fun. While many people scoffed at the NBA trade rumor involving the Celtics and Thompson at the time, Brian Scalabrine gave it some perceived legitimacy.

No, the Boston Celtics are not in talks with the Warriors for Klay Thompson. The Celtics were never in talks to acquire the sharpshooter. But something else was revealed. When there is some smoke, expect fire. The Celtics want to make a trade, and it does not matter which NBA star they acquire. What keeps getting lost are the names that would be going back to the other teams in each one of the NBA trade rumors involving the Celtics. It is those same two players, Bradley and Crowder who keeps getting mentioned in the NBA trade rumors.

It started with the Celtics attempting to dangle them to the Bulls for Jimmy Butler. Now, it seems that the Celtics are open to offering (courtesy of MassLive via ESPN’s Zach Lowe) Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder to the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins.

Is it true that the Celtics would be willing to trade two quality starters for Cousins? If the Kings were willing to trade Cousins for Bradley and Crowder, a deal would get made. The Celtics would jump at the chance to make this deal despite the rumblings that head coach Brad Stevens is not enamored with the idea of coaching Cousins.

“I don’t think Brad Stevens wants to touch DeMarcus Cousins with a 10-foot pole. And that carries a lot of weight there. Not only that, they just signed a center. And they think Al Horford is a center, and will play more center as pieces come and go in Boston. And so I don’t know what that does to Boston’s hunger to acquire a superstar big man who is going to be a locker room question mark.”

There are other reasons to believe that nothing will happen between the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings. It takes at least two teams to deal in every trade. As it currently stands, the Kings do not appear interested in trading DeMarcus Cousins despite all of the NBA trade rumors that suggest otherwise. There is more evidence regarding the Kings’ desire to hold onto the all-star center.

Jackie MacMullan told CSN Northeast that Kings owner Vivek Ranadive is disinterested in trading his best player.

“I asked about Cousins just recently again, and Vivek Ranadive, the owner of the Sacramento Kings, does not want to trade DeMarcus Cousins. And so as long as that’s the case, all this talk is just that. It’s talk.”

Even though the rumor about a possible Cousins’ trade was shot down, it will not put the chatter to rest.

The Boston Celtics will continue to work the phones in an effort to acquire another star player. Do not expect the Celtics to trade for DeMarcus Cousins; he is not available. Look for the Celtics to search elsewhere.

Report: Kings owner Vivek Ranadive doesn’t want to trade DeMarcus Cousins https://t.co/TfLSWfZTgv

— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) November 25, 2016

One interesting scenario would be for the Celtics to reach out to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves reportedly want to acquire a veteran (courtesy of NBC Sports) and are willing to use one of their young players in a trade to make something happen. There is a trade between the Celtics and Timberwolves that makes sense.

The Boston Celtics could offer Avery Bradley to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine.

Getting back LaVine from the Timberwolves would give the Celtics a dynamic scorer on the wing with star potential. LaVine’s expanded range and overall athleticism would fit well with the young players of the Celtics. He would serve as a perfect compliment to point Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics become better simply because of LaVine’s offensive game.

The Timberwolves want a veteran player. Avery Bradley fits the description of a Tom Thibodeau player — defensive-minded with some scoring capabilities. Acquiring Bradley from the Celtics instantly upgrades the Timberwolves’ roster, not because of the talent, but because of the fit. Bradley has the lateral quickness to guard the top guards in the Western Conference. Being able to defend the likes of a Klay Thompson and a James Harden is key for a team with playoff aspirations.

Nearly each of the NBA trade rumors that have come out about the Boston Celtics included Avery Bradley’s name. Avery Bradley for Zach LaVine is a trade that makes all the sense in the world for both the Celtics and Timberwolves.

What the Boston Celtics must do is not look to aim for a home run trade, but adding another piece is a different story. Instead of focusing on acquiring DeMarcus Cousins, perhaps the Boston Celtics should target a complimentary player with star potential. The Celtics could use one of the players who has been involved in just about all of the NBA trade rumors involving their team.

[Featured Image by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images]