NBA Trade Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins lobbying for trade

At this stage, only a trade could fix the broken relationship between the Sacramento Kings and star center DeMarcus Cousins.

Star center DeMarcus Cousins has become a much different player over the last two seasons with the Sacramento Kings. As such, he’s become a rare commodity in today’s NBA; a big man that you could build a team around. You would think the Kings would have wanted to do anything to keep him happy.

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Unfortunately, a rift has grown between Cousins and the Kings, one which head coach George Karl helped foster and firmly drove a spike into.

According to Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, that rift began when Karl started shopping Cousins last February and has led to the 2015 All-Star to asking the team to oblige Karl’s request. Recently, Cousins has taken to social media to vocalize his desires further, jumping into the “Snake in the Grass” comments of other former Karl players that felt they were run out of town.

https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/613225835365949440

https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/614139386922446849

Those vocalizations have led to countless speculation over the past few weeks, especially with the draft approaching on Thursday night. Teams have lined up to acquire Cousins’ services, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, and Denver Nuggets just to name a few. The Lakers, who own the number two pick in the draft, could make the big play for Cousins. For his part, Cousins would certainly be amenable to the Lakers and would give them the big man they are striving for, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

Cousins, who is coming off his best season in the NBA, averaged 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in 2014-15. In 350 career games, Cousins has averaged 18.9 points and 10.6 boards.

Of course, lobby as he might, Kings ownership does not appear anxious to move the center. Owner Vivek Ranadive has been said to have vetoed any trade possibilities involving DeMarcus Cousins and sources are also indicating that he is furious with coach George Karl for putting the team into this situation. That has led to some speculation that Karl’s job is in jeopardy, but for now, it appears the bigger concern is trying to come their star down and make him want to stay.

That may be a big rift to close, and if the team is going to move Cousins, Draft Day may be the best time to facilitate a deal that not only garners them some core players but also a pick that allows the team to replace Cousins. In that sense, the Lakers make the most sense, although the Celtics could give them volume with their two later picks.

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