NBA Rumors: Five trade destinations for DeMarcus Cousins

By John Buhler | Jan 26, 2016

Jan 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks on during overtime in the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Sleep Train Arena. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Sacramento Kings 129-128 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) holds back Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the second quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

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The Orlando Magic have a young and dynamic corps this is ready to acquire a superstar. The Magic tried admirably to sign Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap in free agency last summer, but ultimately came up short. Do the Magic have what it takes to pull off a trade with the Sacramento Kings to acquire DeMarcus Cousins?

Orlando has a ton of raw talent already on its roster. Obviously center Nikola Vucevic would have to be included in Orlando’s offer to acquire Cousins, as he is an All-Star caliber center already who played collegiately in California at USC. Vucevic would stand as a better and younger version of what the Charlotte Hornets could offer in Al Jefferson, so the Kings could have more interest in an Orlando deal than in a Charlotte one.

A first-round pick, probably top three protected, would have to go the Kings along with Vucevic and probably any player on the Orlando roster not named Tobias Harris. Magic head coach Scott Skiles has his team in playoff contention despite being below .500 at 20-23 and in 12th place in the East entering play Tuesday. A Cousins trade would almost certainly help the Magic make the playoffs for the first time since Dwight Howard starred in Orlando.

Cousins would stand as the third superstar center to play for the Magic, joining Howard and Shaquille O’Neal. He may love that Central Florida has terrific year-round weather and that the state doesn’t have an annual income tax. He’d be the biggest star to play in the State of Florida since LeBron James spent four years with the Miami Heat.

There is a lot to like about Cousins going to the Magic. Orlando has the assets to orchestrate a trade with the Kings. The Magic are close to being relevant in the Eastern Conference and trading for Cousins would instantly add legitimacy to this young up-and-coming basketball team.

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