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NBA Trade Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins wants to play for Knicks

By Josh Hill

Mar 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings may end up having to trade DeMarcus Cousins, and the New York Knicks would happily pick up the tab. 

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When George Karl and DeMarcus Cousins apparently fell out with one another — assuming that’s happened — it became clear that the Kings would have to choose one over the other. There’s still hope that they could work things out, but at the end of the day it appears one will stay and one will probably go.

Thanks to the endless trade rumors he’s attached to, the one going will probably be DeMarcus Cousins. It’s worth pointing out that such a move is a franchise killer for the Kings, but that’s a discussion for another day. What is worth looking at now is who the Kings could trade Cousins too — and the Knicks are at the top of the list.

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the New York Knicks are on a shortlist of teams that Cousins would approve a trade to if things ultimately come to that.

This isn’t surprising and it’s not what Lakers fans want to hear.

All week long it’s been the Lakers at the forefront to acquire Cousins, but that was without the floor open to other bidders. Opening things up and asking the market to take part in talks for the All-Star center was always going to bring interests outside of California, and the Knicks are one of a handful of teams expected to be in on the Boogie Derby, should it take place.

Boston, Houston and Cleveland could all get in on talks for Cousins as well as other fringe contenders like Toronto, Denver and even a team like Minnesota.

The bottom line is, if the Kings are going to trade DeMarcus Cousins, Lakers fans need to get it out of their heads that they have some sort of leverage in the discussions. Boston has two first rounders and New York has a front office that will bleed players like they did in a trade with Cleveland.

Los Angeles isn’t the destination it used to be, and unless the Kings aim on getting fleeced in a Cousins trade, moving him to places like New York makes the most sense.

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