All things DeMarcus Cousins (merged thread)

[Roy H.]

Cousins is impossible. Never seen a player with a worse attitude

Really?

* Cousins is considered to be a leader by his teammates.  He showed up at Summer League to lead his young teammates in voluntary workouts and he was a model citizen for Team USA, coming off the bench;

* He's developed his game tremendously.  He's become a very good defender and has added a three point shot;

* He's passionate about winning;

* He plays through pain, and came back early last season from a potentially life-threatening injury;

* John Calipari and Mike Malone love him.

This is the guy with the worst attitude in the history of all NBA players you've seen?

He's done this to multiple coaches though. The organization is a shiz show but what gives this guy the right to behave this way whenever he wants with no consequences?
The guy has mental stability issues and always has. You cannot believe that this kind of behavior/attitude is acceptable for any reason.
Guy gets paid millions to play the game he loves and they try and put a cast of very good players around him.
8 games in and he's blowing up already.

When do the excuses for this guy stop?

He yelled at a coach. In the history of the NBA, probably thousands of players have done the same.

The kid isn't uncoachable, which is different. He buys in, and works hard to improve his game. Again, look at the changes in his defense. Look at his outside shot,  which is a legit weapon this year. He has adapted for his coaches.  He doesn't suffer fools gladly, though,  and when someone/something isn't working, he will let you know about it.  I don't have a huge problem with that.

[wdleehi]

Ready made top talent in the hardest position to fill.



Young


Cap friendly control.



Is dying to be in a good situation where there is evidence that suggest he would thrive.



Yes, trade for him.   I would be reluctant to include more then one of the Net picks.  Maybe offer this year's Boston pick, next year's Net pick, the 76er 2nd round pick, Lee (for filler), Sully or Olynyk, Young or Hunter. 

[Donoghus]

I'd have pretty much no trouble trading for the guy as long as it doesn't totally gut the roster.

My reluctance is parting with the BKN '16 pick.  I'm not sure I'm parting with that under almost any circumstances right now.

[Fafnir]

I'd have pretty much no trouble trading for the guy as long as it doesn't totally gut the roster.

My reluctance is parting with the BKN '16 pick.  I'm not sure I'm parting with that under almost any circumstances right now.

Yeah parting with that BKN AND more is the hang up for me.

I don't think it happens, their owner is nothing if not stubborn.

[ssspence]

Cousins is impossible. Never seen a player with a worse attitude

Really?

* Cousins is considered to be a leader by his teammates.  He showed up at Summer League to lead his young teammates in voluntary workouts and he was a model citizen for Team USA, coming off the bench;

* He's developed his game tremendously.  He's become a very good defender and has added a three point shot;

* He's passionate about winning;

* He plays through pain, and came back early last season from a potentially life-threatening injury;

* John Calipari and Mike Malone love him.

This is the guy with the worst attitude in the history of all NBA players you've seen?

He's done this to multiple coaches though. The organization is a shiz show but what gives this guy the right to behave this way whenever he wants with no consequences?
The guy has mental stability issues and always has. You cannot believe that this kind of behavior/attitude is acceptable for any reason.
Guy gets paid millions to play the game he loves and they try and put a cast of very good players around him.
8 games in and he's blowing up already.

When do the excuses for this guy stop?

He yelled at a coach. In the history of the NBA, probably thousands of players have done the same.

The kid isn't uncoachable, which is different. He buys in, and works hard to improve his game. Again, look at the changes in his defense. Look at his outside shot,  which is a legit weapon this year. He has adapted for his coaches.  He doesn't suffer fools gladly

Totally agree.

Those that assume Cousins is the problem aren't look at the situation closely enough. The guy is smart, dedicated, and passionate. He's p---ed for good reason -- the Kings literally could not be running their show any worse. He's absolutely surrounded by NBA frauds... on the court, on the bench, in the front office, and in the owners box. He's had exactly one good NBA coach (out of 5? 6?), whom he connected with and made progress with, and then he was fired prematurely to make room for..... nothing. No plan at all.  An indecisive stint of Ty Corbin, then finally getting organized enough to bring in a fool's gold coach with a reputation for being a passive-agressive nightmare that no one else would bother touching.

A guy of lesser integrity woulda demanded a trade ages ago. But he's stuck it out. I'd rather have a guy with edge than one with none.

[ssspence]

Again, there's no rule that says the Cs have to give up the 2016 Nets pick in a trade for Cousins.

Considering Philly isn't applicable here, the Cs will be able to exceed any offer available from another team right now, even without the Nets pick in 2016. 

For example:

Either: Our 2016 1st round pick (top 7 protected) or Dallas' 2016 pick, whichever is higher
Either: the right to swap with the Nets in 2017; or the Nets 2018 pick (not both)
One of: Our 2017 1st round pick (top 12 protected); our 2018 1st round pick (top 12 protected), the 2018 Memphis pick
Sullinger (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
Zeller (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
David Lee

And yes, I'd add in Bradley and agree to take Gay, if needed, provided we get to keep the 2016 Nets pick. This would give us the flexibility to add a pretty big FA contract next summer if justified.

Hard to imagine that offer could be beat.

[LilRip]

Haven't read the thread but chiming in:

I'd trade any mishmash of assets and players who aren't named Marcus Smart for Cousins. I'd even give up all the BKN unprotected picks we have. If we have a Smart+Cousins core, we are set for the future. We can worry about the rest of the roster later. Besides, DA is pretty good at finding role players.

[SHAQATTACK]

Haven't read the thread but chiming in:

I'd trade any mishmash of assets and players who aren't named Marcus Smart for Cousins. I'd even give up all the BKN unprotected picks we have. If we have a Smart+Cousins core, we are set for the future. We can worry about the rest of the roster later. Besides, DA is pretty good at finding role players.

That's right thinking .......TP ......that's how To build a team

Cousins / Smart  / CBS .......we could attract a Wiggins like SF and contend in the East .

[danglertx]

Haven't read the thread but chiming in:

I'd trade any mishmash of assets and players who aren't named Marcus Smart for Cousins. I'd even give up all the BKN unprotected picks we have. If we have a Smart+Cousins core, we are set for the future. We can worry about the rest of the roster later. Besides, DA is pretty good at finding role players.

That's right thinking .......TP ......that's how To build a team

Cousins / Smart  / CBS .......we could attract a Wiggins like SF and contend in the East .

That would be idiotic.  It wouldn't attract free agents and that team would be a perennial mess.  How do I know this?  Look at the Kings since they have had DMC.  They have had better players than Smart around him and they haven't won anything.  Are all the free agents flocking to the Kings even though they are a nice warm weather spot?  No.  They stink, they stink every year, and no superstars are heading in there to join DMC.   

[tazzmaniac]

Again, there's no rule that says the Cs have to give up the 2016 Nets pick in a trade for Cousins.

Considering Philly isn't applicable here, the Cs will be able to exceed any offer available from another team right now, even without the Nets pick in 2016. 

For example:

Either: Our 2016 1st round pick (top 7 protected) or Dallas' 2016 pick, whichever is higher
Either: the right to swap with the Nets in 2017; or the Nets 2018 pick (not both)
One of: Our 2017 1st round pick (top 12 protected); our 2018 1st round pick (top 12 protected), the 2018 Memphis pick
Sullinger (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
Zeller (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
David Lee

And yes, I'd add in Bradley and agree to take Gay, if needed, provided we get to keep the 2016 Nets pick. This would give us the flexibility to add a pretty big FA contract next summer if justified.

Hard to imagine that offer could be beat.

Why don't you think the Sixers are applicable?  They could certainly put together a good offer centered around Okafor. 

[wdleehi]

Again, there's no rule that says the Cs have to give up the 2016 Nets pick in a trade for Cousins.

Considering Philly isn't applicable here, the Cs will be able to exceed any offer available from another team right now, even without the Nets pick in 2016. 

For example:

Either: Our 2016 1st round pick (top 7 protected) or Dallas' 2016 pick, whichever is higher
Either: the right to swap with the Nets in 2017; or the Nets 2018 pick (not both)
One of: Our 2017 1st round pick (top 12 protected); our 2018 1st round pick (top 12 protected), the 2018 Memphis pick
Sullinger (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
Zeller (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
David Lee

And yes, I'd add in Bradley and agree to take Gay, if needed, provided we get to keep the 2016 Nets pick. This would give us the flexibility to add a pretty big FA contract next summer if justified.

Hard to imagine that offer could be beat.

Why don't you think the Sixers are applicable?  They could certainly put together a good offer centered around Okafor.

I think the 76ers would not be interested because one would have to wonder how Cousins would react to going to a team clearly interested in tanking season after season.


But that is just a guess. 


Also, since the 76ers can swap picks with Sac already, unless the swaps are removed or the picks sent to Sac, do the Kings want to make the 76ers that much better right now? 

[danglertx]

Again, there's no rule that says the Cs have to give up the 2016 Nets pick in a trade for Cousins.

Considering Philly isn't applicable here, the Cs will be able to exceed any offer available from another team right now, even without the Nets pick in 2016. 

For example:

Either: Our 2016 1st round pick (top 7 protected) or Dallas' 2016 pick, whichever is higher
Either: the right to swap with the Nets in 2017; or the Nets 2018 pick (not both)
One of: Our 2017 1st round pick (top 12 protected); our 2018 1st round pick (top 12 protected), the 2018 Memphis pick
Sullinger (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
Zeller (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
David Lee

And yes, I'd add in Bradley and agree to take Gay, if needed, provided we get to keep the 2016 Nets pick. This would give us the flexibility to add a pretty big FA contract next summer if justified.

Hard to imagine that offer could be beat.

That seems like a more reasonable strategy.  I wouldn't do it because DMC isn't a winner.  It is a player's league and he hasn't done anything to win.  He gets his numbers but it never equates to wins.

Brooklyn is bad.  I mean really bad.  And they have no hope of getting better.  Meanwhile we have a couple trade chips we could cash in for future assets or a different kind of player closer to the same talent we can give up.  For instance, Lee, Johnson, and Bradley could get traded away from this group and I don't think it hurts us at all.  In fact, I think it frees up playing time for guys we need to develop. 

Would a contender who needs a defensive stopper type player like Bradley to deal with the PGs in the West send us a 1st?  I think so.  Could we get future considerations for Lee if we take back dead weight matching salary?  Maybe in a three way where they need matching salaries?  Probably.   Johnson might actually fetch a late first at the deadline.

We have lots of options, a few valuable pieces, and some golden draft picks coming our way over the next three seasons, combined with a ton of draft space.  I wouldn't throw all of that away for a malcontent who hasn't been able to win anything in Sactown.

[wdleehi]

Another reason not to trade all the Nets picks, future trades if other stars or top players become available.  (especially if the Celtics trade for Cousins)



One Net pick, one Celtics pick, a couple of 2nd round picks and two you players where the Celtics have two who play the same position. 

[Moranis]

Again, there's no rule that says the Cs have to give up the 2016 Nets pick in a trade for Cousins.

Considering Philly isn't applicable here, the Cs will be able to exceed any offer available from another team right now, even without the Nets pick in 2016. 

For example:

Either: Our 2016 1st round pick (top 7 protected) or Dallas' 2016 pick, whichever is higher
Either: the right to swap with the Nets in 2017; or the Nets 2018 pick (not both)
One of: Our 2017 1st round pick (top 12 protected); our 2018 1st round pick (top 12 protected), the 2018 Memphis pick
Sullinger (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
Zeller (considering the Cs won't wanna pay him next summer)
David Lee

And yes, I'd add in Bradley and agree to take Gay, if needed, provided we get to keep the 2016 Nets pick. This would give us the flexibility to add a pretty big FA contract next summer if justified.

Hard to imagine that offer could be beat.

Why don't you think the Sixers are applicable?  They could certainly put together a good offer centered around Okafor.

I think the 76ers would not be interested because one would have to wonder how Cousins would react to going to a team clearly interested in tanking season after season.


But that is just a guess. 


Also, since the 76ers can swap picks with Sac already, unless the swaps are removed or the picks sent to Sac, do the Kings want to make the 76ers that much better right now?

I don't believe the Sixers are set on tanking at all, they just need enough of a base to not tank.  I would think a reasonable trade would be something like Okafor, Thompson, LAL 1st, and remove the right to swap picks the next two seasons for Cousins (trade also gives Sacto a 10.3 million trade exception).   Maybe Philly throws in the Heat and/or Thunder picks to sweeten the pot.  I think that would be a very strong offer and one we probably couldn't top.

As for Cousins, I'm sure he wouldn't love Philly at first, but he would be going to a team with Noel who can alleviate a lot of the defensive pressure for him and that has some nice shooters surrounding him.  He would have stability in the coaching staff and management.  Plus Philly is in the East (no real bruising C's or PF's to guard him) and would still have plenty of assets and cap room to build around Cousins and Noel (and Embiid and Saric).   

[LooseCannon]

If we believe the rumors that Vivek is simply in love with John Calipari, I don't expect there to be a chance that Cousins is traded until the Kings have had a chance to make another run at hiring Calipari next off-season.