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NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic’s Options With No. 2 Pick

By Vytis Lasaitis

March 10, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn talks with point guard Jameer Nelson (14), small forward Tobias Harris (12), point guard Beno Udrih (19), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and teammates during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn talks with point guard Jameer Nelson (14), small forward Tobias Harris (12), point guard Beno Udrih (19), center Nikola Vucevic (9) and teammates during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 14, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after he was called for a technical foul in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
April 14, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after he was called for a technical foul in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade No. 2 – LINK TO ESPN TRADE MACHINE

Orlando Magic receive:

DeMarcus Cousins

Sacramento Kings receive:

2nd overall pick

Nikola Vucevic

Maurice Harkless

Why this trade could happen…

There is no denying that Cousins is extremely talented, and while his antics and attitude problem is always a drawback, he is still only 22 years old and could be nurtured into a superstar. The Magic get a player that they can potentially build around and Cousins is probably more talented than any player the team could get in this year’s draft.

The Kings would get rid of the headache that DeMarcus has become and would get a couple of decent pieces. First of all, the team has several ways to go with the second overall pick. If Sacramento has given up on Tyreke Evans, they could let him go and replace him with Ben McLemore rather than inevitably overpaying for Evans. They also get a direct replacement for Cousins in Vucevic, who proved to be a great center and averaged a double-double last season. Harkless also showed some upside in his rookie season.

…and what holds it back

Well, the Kings would probably push hard to get Tobias Harris included into this deal rather than Harkless. However, considering his salary and what he showed while playing for the Magic, Harris is probably as close to an untouchable as they come. Also, this trade would not solve the bad contract problem the Magic have.

Overall possibility: While Cousins has said that he won’t request a trade, the Kings would probably listen to offers for him. Vucevic has proven to be a great young center who also comes cheap, which the Kings would love. As I said previously, you can add and remove players if these two teams are making a deal and Sacramento could also toss in the seventh pick and try to squeeze more talent out of Orlando.

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