Lakers out of running, they are not giving up Russell, they are building their team around him, who can blame them. No other assets. Only realistic bidders would be NY (assuming Sacramento likes Porzingis) and Philadelphia (given their depth at center). I can't see any other team, including us, being real players who have the chips that they would want to give up (e.g., NO won't trade David, OKC won't trade Durant).
Cousins probably was pushing for WCS because he doesn't shoot. Just does the dirty work.