If the Nets pick is top 3, would you trade it for DeMarcus Cousins?

[footey]

1 or 2: Probably no.

3: Yes. (but I doubt that Kings would give him up for the 3rd pick)

[Boris Badenov]

I trust Danny on this one. If he thinks Ingram is a superstar-in-waiting then that's his call.

Hard to see how Simmons would end up being more valuable to Danny than Cousins. Danny has repeatedly said that the hardest guys to get are big-time scorers, and Cousins is inarguably that.

I don't see anyone else in this draft class as being even remotely close to Cousins. if we don't have a shot at Ingram I'd trade the BKN pick and another lottery pick plus whatever current players SAC wanted of ours.

[Ilikesports17]

Depends on how we feel our shot is at KD.

I think I'd trade a top 2 pick for Cousins. 3-5 I'd throw in Smart as well.

[Tr1boy]

no. I would not bring in cancer into the locker room period

[aingeforthree]

Yes, easy decision.

*He's one of the best big men in the entire league.
*His emotions can be cured by winning, and he'll win on this team.
*The organization is an entirely different beast than Sacramento.  Ainge and Stevens know how to run an organization, team.

He would excel here, no doubt in my mind.  On the court, off of it, and in the locker room.

[celticsfan8591]

Yes, definitely.  Here's the list of top 3 picks since LeBron:

LeBron, Darko, Melo
Howard, Okafor, B. Gordon
Bogut, M. Williams, Deron Williams
Bargnani, Aldridge, Morrison
Oden, Durant, Horford
Rose, Beasley, Mayo
Griffin, Thabeet, Harden,
Wall, Turner, Favors
Irving, Derrick Williams, Kanter
Davis, MKG, Beal
Bennett, Oladipo, Porter
Wiggins, Parker, Embiid
Towns, Russell, Okafor

From that entire list, the only ones I think clearly have been better players over the course of their careers are LeBron, Durant, and Davis.  Peak Dwight was probably better, and you can make an argument for pre-injury Rose, Harden, Blake, Melo and future Towns.  Even if you say all of those guys were better players, that's 9/39.  So, it's very likely that Boogie will be better than whoever we end up drafting.  In addition to that, Boogie matches up well with the rest of our core age-wise, whereas Simmons or Ingram would peak well after the rest of our roster has declined.  And finally, Boogie might help us attract another star in free agency.  Add all that up and I think it's a no brainer.

[Kane3387]

Only if you believe that the top three pick can't be the same caliber of player.

[Vermont Green]

i would trade the #1, #2, or #3 pick in a package for Cousins.  There is some risk with Cousins for sure but I think people in general don't acknowledge the magnitude of the risk with any draft pick.  Sure, if you trade Ben Simmons, maybe you are trading Kevin Durant but the percentages show that it is unlikely any pick will be a great player.  It is more likely you end up with a bust than you end up with a great player (most fall somewhere in between).

With Cousins, there is a different kind of risk but his NBA ability is proven.  Plus we are getting another Nets pick next year and the year after that.  We have two more shots to draft a great player.

In terms of Cousins attitude/personality, I think that can be handled.  He is more of a man and less of a kid every year so that works in our favor.  I expect that even though things would be much more stable in Boston than in Sac, there would be flare ups but is that really going to destroy the team?  I don't think so.

I wonder if Sac regrets not trading Cousins to the Lakers for Randle and Russell (projecting that this deal may have been on the table).  We probably have to give them Smart and this pick.  That is a lot, but I do it.

[Ilikesports17]

Brad mentioned they look for guys with a chip on their shoulder.

Before they brought in ET he had some locker room questions, Marcus Smart pushed a fan in college, IT had some teammate issues too.

Now the risk with all those guys was lower than it is when you are giving up a top 5 pick and commiting 15 mil a year and you have a good team in place to be ruined, but I dont think Ainge will be gunshy on bringing in Demarcus if the opportunity presents itself.

[Eja117]

In response to the thread I'd want DeMarcus, his agent, DA, Wyc, and CBS to have a very long talk first. 

Then...I'd make some other calls. Former teammates I trusted. Former college people. Whatever is needed.

I could imagine some pretty horrible scenarios with DeMarcus. I could imagine some pretty good ones too.

[danglertx]

In response to the thread I'd want DeMarcus, his agent, DA, Wyc, and CBS to have a very long talk first. 

Then...I'd make some other calls. Former teammates I trusted. Former college people. Whatever is needed.

I could imagine some pretty horrible scenarios with DeMarcus. I could imagine some pretty good ones too.

Didn't IT play with him a couple years?  I think he can give all the Cousins inside info you need.  Unless you don't trust IT.

[greece66]

Yes, trade the pick.

No matter how good in theory the player we pick he can always turn out to be a bust.

[PAOBoston]

Cousins is a loser. He has bad body language and hasn't really made his team any better. I think he's talented as heck but I think he's a crappie teammate and leader. I also don't think know he fits the mold of what Ainge and Stevens look for: high character and effort guys. I think it's likely they keep the pick and go for someone like Horford in FA.

[Roy H.]

Yes.  There isn't even a consensus at #3; nobody there has close to DMC's potential.

So, it comes down to #1 or #2. Ben Simmons can't shoot and he couldn't even lead his team into the tournament. There is a ton of risk, even though he's a perceived stud.

I like Ingram better than Simmons, but what are the chances he becomes a top-10 talent?  Cousins is top-5 in both scoring and rebounding, and he's a good passer and defender.  Are those reasonable expectations for any prospect?

Give me the (irritable) bird in hand.

[Roy H.]

Cousins is a loser. He has bad body language and hasn't really made his team any better. I think he's talented as heck but I think he's a crappie teammate and leader. I also don't think know he fits the mold of what Ainge and Stevens look for: high character and effort guys. I think it's likely they keep the pick and go for someone like Horford in FA.

Does Simmons fit that mold?