The Mavericks, Bobcats and Cavaliers "will have interest" in Cousins

[crownontherocks]

The Mavericks, Bobcats and Cavaliers "will have interest" in DeMarcus Cousins if the new Kings ownership group decides to put him on the trade block, sources told ESPN's Chad Ford.


As the Kings enter a new era with what fans hope will finally be a competent ownership group, the franchise appears to want to enter next season with a completely clean slate.

Sacramento will look to bring in a new general manager and a new head coach, who will together need to decide what the best way is to go about building the team from essentially the ground up.

A big decision on the horizon is what to do with DeMarcus Cousins — a player whose talent borders on that of an All-Star, yet whose attitude and on-court demeanor has prevented him from achieving the level of success that most envision him capable of when watching him play.

If Sacramento does decide that it’s best to part ways with Cousins, there won’t be a shortage of teams interested in dealing for his services.

From Chad Ford of ESPN.com (via HoopsHype):

Sources say the Cavs have already begun to explore what they can get with the No. 1 pick. If they can get a young big or small forward in return, Gilbert will be pushing for them to trade the pick. Who can they get? The pickings will be slim. Teams aren’t dying to get the No. 1 pick. But one name that you shouldn’t totally rule out is the Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins.

The Cavs won’t be the only team calling the Kings once they get a new GM in place. Sources say that the Charlotte Bobcats and Dallas Mavericks will also have interest in Cousins if Sacramento’s new management decides to cut ties with Cousins.

Cousins would appear to need to be in an environment where his antics won’t be tolerated, and only a team with a veteran head coach who commands the respect of his players will be able to get the most out of the talent that Cousins brings.

That’s why young rebuilding squads like the Cavaliers or the Bobcats don’t really make any sense. Cousins would be in the same situation there that he’s in in Sacramento, as one of the best players on a losing team that’s trying to establish a direction for itself. We’ve already seen that Cousins doesn’t do well in that type of a situation.

The Mavericks are more interesting, considering the more steady coach in place in Rick Carlisle, as well as Dirk Nowitzki who is clearly in the team’s leadership position. Add another couple of veterans to that roster, and all of a sudden Cousins will be forced to fall in line with a more mature group that will have no tolerance for the nonsense he’s brought to the game during his first three seasons in the league.

Cousins averaged 17.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 30.5 minutes per game this season. He also led the league with 17 technical fouls.

[Evantime34]

He would be a great fit in Boston. Would a Sully, AB, Green, 16 be enough to get him (we would have to take back salary from them) is that a deal that makes sense for us?

[Lucky17]

Cousins would appear to need to be in an environment where his antics won’t be tolerated, and only a team with a veteran head coach who commands the respect of his players will be able to get the most out of the talent that Cousins brings.

That’s why young rebuilding squads like the Cavaliers or the Bobcats don’t really make any sense. Cousins would be in the same situation there that he’s in in Sacramento, as one of the best players on a losing team that’s trying to establish a direction for itself. We’ve already seen that Cousins doesn’t do well in that type of a situation.

The Mavericks are more interesting, considering the more steady coach in place in Rick Carlisle, as well as Dirk Nowitzki who is clearly in the team’s leadership position. Add another couple of veterans to that roster, and all of a sudden Cousins will be forced to fall in line with a more mature group that will have no tolerance for the nonsense he’s brought to the game during his first three seasons in the league.

Given the premise that Cousins needs the right environment to succeed, I have to say I disagree with this.

Mike Brown has plenty of experience coaching big egos. And Cleveland has plenty of available cap room and assets to land a veteran to turn the Cavs from lottery team to playoff team next year. So I dispute that Cleveland "doesn't make sense." In fact, I'd label them as odds-on favorites to acquire Cousins.

Also, given Mark Cuban's self-professed "two year plan" to contend, I don't see how the mercurial/volatile Cousins is the right fit for the Mavs, not when big-name free agents are out there. Maybe if Cubes strikes out on landing the big fish, he'd roll the dice with Cousins. But that can't be Plan A.

[connor]

He would be a great fit in Boston. Would a Sully, AB, Green, 16 be enough to get him (we would have to take back salary from them) is that a deal that makes sense for us?

I'd say Sully, AB, Green and 16 would be overpaying. Take Sully out and thats more of what I think Cousins is worth, unless a bidding war ensues at which point you never know how high his price could be pushed.

I agree with Ford though that Cousins doesn't really make that much sense for a young team like the Cavs or Bobcats. You risk having his bad attitude come in and infect what you've already started to build. I'm not sure if the risk is worth the reward given what they would have to give up.

I think the Celtics make sense if we could put together a package that let us hang on to our veterans, but I think other teams are going to be able to offer more.

Cousins is so young that as he literally matures some of those headaches could start disappearing, which is why I think he is an intriguing option for a team like the Cavs. I'd rather Cousins than Noel, especially given the knee issues and in spite of the fact that Cousins would cost vast amounts more. Adding a budding star center to a team quarterbacked by Kyrie Irving could be really fun to watch especially if they go up against the Heat in a year or two.

[LooseCannon]

Also, given Mark Cuban's self-professed "two year plan" to contend, I don't see how the mercurial/volatile Cousins is the right fit for the Mavs, not when big-name free agents are out there. Maybe if Cubes strikes out on landing the big fish, he'd roll the dice with Cousins. But that can't be Plan A.

It makes sense.  It is unlikely that Mavericks can clear enough cap space to sign to big-name free agents.  If they can acquire Cousins, his 2013-2014 salary would still allow Dallas to have cap space for a big-name free agent, depending on what contracts they have to take back.

It's been reported that Dallas is concentrating on using their cap space to get a big like Dwight Howard and a cheaper point guard instead of Chris Paul and a cheaper big because they think cheap PGs are easier to find than cheap bigs.  If that's true and they can get DMC, that makes chasing after CP3 more favorable.  Does a Nowitzki, Paul, Cousins core sound good?

[BleedGreen1989]

I'd take a chance on him for the right price. However, people in SacTown value him as a superstar and I've been shocked seeing what some fans would turn down for Cousins.

[Donoghus]

I'd give anything to see Cousins implode in Charlotte. 

That seems like a match made in heaven.

[Lucky17]

Does a Nowitzki, Paul, Cousins core sound good?

It does. It also sounds like a pipe dream to me. I don't see Chris Paul leaving the Clippers.

[LooseCannon]

Does a Nowitzki, Paul, Cousins core sound good?

It does. It also sounds like a pipe dream to me. I don't see Chris Paul leaving the Clippers.

Chris Paul is reportedly pushing for Byron Scott to be the new Clippers coach.  I'll see at least a small possibility of Paul leaving if someone else gets the job.

[Lucky17]

Does a Nowitzki, Paul, Cousins core sound good?

It does. It also sounds like a pipe dream to me. I don't see Chris Paul leaving the Clippers.

Chris Paul is reportedly pushing for Byron Scott to be the new Clippers coach.  I'll see at least a small possibility of Paul leaving if someone else gets the job.

Yeah, I think the VDN situation brought things to a head. If the next head coach isn't a CP3 "guy," maybe he moves on. Seems doubtful that the Clips would take the chance, though.

[Who]

Does a Nowitzki, Paul, Cousins core sound good?

It does. It also sounds like a pipe dream to me. I don't see Chris Paul leaving the Clippers.

Chris Paul is reportedly pushing for Byron Scott to be the new Clippers coach.  I'll see at least a small possibility of Paul leaving if someone else gets the job.

I would like to see those reunited. They had a good run together.

[LooseCannon]

Does a Nowitzki, Paul, Cousins core sound good?

It does. It also sounds like a pipe dream to me. I don't see Chris Paul leaving the Clippers.

Chris Paul is reportedly pushing for Byron Scott to be the new Clippers coach.  I'll see at least a small possibility of Paul leaving if someone else gets the job.

Yeah, I think the VDN situation brought things to a head. If the next head coach isn't a CP3 "guy," maybe he moves on. Seems doubtful that the Clips would take the chance, though.

Well, Mark Heisler has reported that Lionel Hollins is the early favorite....

[ghost_of_davidthirdkill]

He would be a great fit in Boston. Would a Sully, AB, Green, 16 be enough to get him (we would have to take back salary from them) is that a deal that makes sense for us?

I'd say Sully, AB, Green and 16 would be overpaying. Take Sully out and thats more of what I think Cousins is worth, unless a bidding war ensues at which point you never know how high his price could be pushed.

I agree with Ford though that Cousins doesn't really make that much sense for a young team like the Cavs or Bobcats. You risk having his bad attitude come in and infect what you've already started to build. I'm not sure if the risk is worth the reward given what they would have to give up.

I think the Celtics make sense if we could put together a package that let us hang on to our veterans, but I think other teams are going to be able to offer more.

Cousins is so young that as he literally matures some of those headaches could start disappearing, which is why I think he is an intriguing option for a team like the Cavs. I'd rather Cousins than Noel, especially given the knee issues and in spite of the fact that Cousins would cost vast amounts more. Adding a budding star center to a team quarterbacked by Kyrie Irving could be really fun to watch especially if they go up against the Heat in a year or two.

I also wouldn't like to include Sully.  Instead I'd throw in Fab Melo and maybe add another pick.

[NocturnalRebel]

Tha Celtics should have interest in Cousins too.