NBA Trade Rumors: Heat, Bulls, Celtics In Pursuit Of DeMarcus Cousins?
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
With the NBA trade deadline about two months away on Feb. 19, trade rumors are starting to circulate around the league about All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings once again. Although new general manager Vlade Divac has done his best to squash any trade rumors involving his star center, the speculation won’t go away with the latest batch of rumors hinting at some intriguing scenarios.
According to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops, Cousins is drawing interest from three playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference:
Sacramento Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins has drawn significant trade interest from the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, league sources tell SheridanHoops.
Last summer, trade rumors ran rampant about Cousins potentially being dealt to the division rival Los Angeles Lakers before the start of the 2015-16 NBA season. The reasoning behind the move seemed to be the relationship between head coach George Karl and the star center simply not working out.
Karl and Cousins have since put aside their differences resulting in trade rumors all but disappearing until now. The Kings are still struggling this season with a record of 9-15 as of Dec. 15 meaning to the team could consider making a blockbuster moves depending on what they may receive in return.
If the rumors about the proposed deal with the Lakers are correct, the Kings had an extremely high asking price with Sacramento wanting D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and a draft pick in return. Although Cousins is averaging a career-high 25.2 points per game to go along with 10.6 rebounds, it may be a stretch to receive a trade package in return that rivals what the team wanted from the Lakers.
The addition of Cousins to the Celtics, Heat or Bulls roster would be a potential game-changer depending on what they’d be forced to give up. Miami may have the best trade piece to bargain with in up-and-comer Hassan Whiteside. Miami likely won’t be able to hold onto Whiteside next summer due to their limitations in offering him a long-term deal. Acquiring Cousins may be the ideal move if they know they can’t retain Whiteside in the offseason.
