[jabbar_medvedenkoParticipant]

I know it’s still early, but this whole mess of a situation that seems to never end in Sacramento makes people wonder if there is a future for a disgruntled superstar center who is already 26 and hasn’t yet been in the postseason.

The rumblings are getting more and more loud that Vlade Divac and Vivek Ranadive will at least entertain the idea of trading away their best player, possibly even hiring a GM in the coming weeks to help them pick the best offer.

My question as a Lakers fan is, should I get excited about the possible trade if we keep the top 3 pick this year? Is a package of maybe the pick, Julius Randle, Lou Williams, a couple of future first rounders and a couple of second rounders to go with cash considerations enough for the Kings to bite? I know everything depends on the ping pong balls in May, but do you see the Lakers topping the offer of Celtics’ who seemingly have an endless amount of low first rounders, elite role players and young talent available to trade, with the Brooklyn pick and all the pick swaps coming their way?

I think one thing is for certain – whoever gets him will set themselves up really nicely for free agency, get the momentum needed and maybe even add Kevin Durant after a possible draft night trade. If the Lakers do it, they will still have more than 2 max slots, Cousins, Russell and Clarkson in the fold. I know there is still a bunch of ifs at this point, but at some point you have to start wondering, even Eric Pincus and Steve Kyler of basketballinsiders.com mentioned some of these possibilities the last couple of days.

[negguaryParticipant]

Only a lakers fan would rave about how good a player is and then think that a top three pick wouldn’t have to be in play in order to acquire him. Then to add salt to the wound suggest that Julius Randell and Lou would suffice.

[negguaryParticipant]

Only a lakers fan would rave about how good a player is and then think that a top three pick wouldn’t have to be in play in order to acquire him. Then to add salt to the wound suggest that Julius Randell and Lou would suffice.

[jabbar_medvedenkoParticipant]

 What I meant was if the package of a top 3 pick, JR and Lou (with future picks and cash) would be enough. I don’t think you understood me.

[jabbar_medvedenkoParticipant]

 What I meant was if the package of a top 3 pick, JR and Lou (with future picks and cash) would be enough. I don’t think you understood me.

[llperez]

reading comprehension is not your friend

[llperez]

reading comprehension is not your friend

[negguaryParticipant]

 hahahahaha….sorry teacher

[negguaryParticipant]

 hahahahaha….sorry teacher

[HitsterParticipant]

If DMC was on the block then Kings would want at least one of DeAngelo Russell, any top 3 pick the Lakers got this year as a starting point for any deal. The Lakers wouldn’t trade Ingram or Simmons for DMC in my view but if they got 3rd pick then it could be a deal they might look at.

A lot would depend where the Kings end up in this year’s draft, if they lucked on first or second pick then they may well feel that DMC is expendable and see what offers they get for him. This ironically would probably annoy DMC as he’d have a really top running mate in place. But the KIngs may feel – you’ve caused us issues well go with Simmons/Ingram resign Rondo have Gay as a running mate and get a decent package for DMC.

Also if Lakers got 3rd pick and offered that as the main piece for a DMC trade, would Kings want Randle or Clarkson as well in any trade I wonder or would future first rounders be enough.

[HitsterParticipant]

If DMC was on the block then Kings would want at least one of DeAngelo Russell, any top 3 pick the Lakers got this year as a starting point for any deal. The Lakers wouldn’t trade Ingram or Simmons for DMC in my view but if they got 3rd pick then it could be a deal they might look at.

A lot would depend where the Kings end up in this year’s draft, if they lucked on first or second pick then they may well feel that DMC is expendable and see what offers they get for him. This ironically would probably annoy DMC as he’d have a really top running mate in place. But the KIngs may feel – you’ve caused us issues well go with Simmons/Ingram resign Rondo have Gay as a running mate and get a decent package for DMC.

Also if Lakers got 3rd pick and offered that as the main piece for a DMC trade, would Kings want Randle or Clarkson as well in any trade I wonder or would future first rounders be enough.

[CDPHParticipant]

The problem is, if the Kings lucked into the first or second pick, they would almost certainly lose it to the 76ers (who have the right to swap first rounders with them).  Now with that said, it would also mean they still picked no later than 4.  But there’s a big difference in value between #1/#2 and #4.  

If they won the lottery and lost their pick to Philly, Sacramento should seriously consider Jamal Murray at #4.  Give DMC a knockdown shooter to help on offense.  

 

  

[CDPHParticipant]

The problem is, if the Kings lucked into the first or second pick, they would almost certainly lose it to the 76ers (who have the right to swap first rounders with them).  Now with that said, it would also mean they still picked no later than 4.  But there’s a big difference in value between #1/#2 and #4.  

If they won the lottery and lost their pick to Philly, Sacramento should seriously consider Jamal Murray at #4.  Give DMC a knockdown shooter to help on offense.  

 

  

[phila9012Participant]

 I hope Cousins is able to get out of sacramento this summer. He needs a fresh start with a good organization and the kings are a dumpster fire as long as vivek is there. The kings run through top draft picks and coaches faster than anyone by far. Most people would quit their jobs if they kept getting thrown under the bus and worked for an organization who kept changing leadership and coworkers all the time.

 

 Notice most teams unless they get a lebron like player or get very high character players like KG and Ray Allen take 3 or 4 years to come together even if they have the right players. Golden state didn’t just become the best team over night, they built that over 5 or 6 years. The Hawks kept adding players and eventually another year after adding milsap they became a 1 seed. No one wants to play for the Kings or in Sacramento, so that player isn’t coming.

 

 

 

[phila9012Participant]

 I hope Cousins is able to get out of sacramento this summer. He needs a fresh start with a good organization and the kings are a dumpster fire as long as vivek is there. The kings run through top draft picks and coaches faster than anyone by far. Most people would quit their jobs if they kept getting thrown under the bus and worked for an organization who kept changing leadership and coworkers all the time.

 

 Notice most teams unless they get a lebron like player or get very high character players like KG and Ray Allen take 3 or 4 years to come together even if they have the right players. Golden state didn’t just become the best team over night, they built that over 5 or 6 years. The Hawks kept adding players and eventually another year after adding milsap they became a 1 seed. No one wants to play for the Kings or in Sacramento, so that player isn’t coming.

 

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Personally, I would much rather see the Lakers rebuild their roster organically than gut their young core to acquire cousins, and than hope that other fa’s will follow him to LA. I dont think acquiring cousins at the price it will take will realistically put them in a better position long-term and it would be kind of a desperation move by a team looking for a big name to fill the void left by kobe.

 I view cousins sort of like Kevin love in Minnesota, superstar stats but not actually a superstar player. I think he’s probably better served as a second or third option on a contending team. If Sacramento would be willing to entertain an offer of clarkson-randle and maybe another player like Lou Williams for cousin  I’d consider (doubtful) but I wouldn’t make Russell or the draft pick available at all under any circumstances.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Personally, I would much rather see the Lakers rebuild their roster organically than gut their young core to acquire cousins, and than hope that other fa’s will follow him to LA. I dont think acquiring cousins at the price it will take will realistically put them in a better position long-term and it would be kind of a desperation move by a team looking for a big name to fill the void left by kobe.

 I view cousins sort of like Kevin love in Minnesota, superstar stats but not actually a superstar player. I think he’s probably better served as a second or third option on a contending team. If Sacramento would be willing to entertain an offer of clarkson-randle and maybe another player like Lou Williams for cousin  I’d consider (doubtful) but I wouldn’t make Russell or the draft pick available at all under any circumstances.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 No thanks on Cousins.  It will surely take the top 3 pick and possibly even Russell.  I like DMC but I would rather have Russell and a top 3 pick.  I’m not exactly sure how someone could make an argument otherwise.  Russell and the top 3 pick have the exact same amount of success in the post season.  Sure you can point to the Kings organization but it’s not all of them.  Cousins perpetuates their disfunction.  Thanks but no thanks.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 No thanks on Cousins.  It will surely take the top 3 pick and possibly even Russell.  I like DMC but I would rather have Russell and a top 3 pick.  I’m not exactly sure how someone could make an argument otherwise.  Russell and the top 3 pick have the exact same amount of success in the post season.  Sure you can point to the Kings organization but it’s not all of them.  Cousins perpetuates their disfunction.  Thanks but no thanks.

[HitsterParticipant]

DMC does need to be in the right situation, I still see Boston with the pick via the Nets and if that happens to be outside top 2 or 3 then that could be in play. Don’t forget Boston have loads of assets so could almost certainly put together the best trade offers a team would realistically offer.

I think that the Kings would want Russell or this year’s draft pick as a condition of even opening negoiations with Lakers.

I don’t see the Lakers doing anything pre draft day and of course it all depends if they retain their pick. Say they get 3rd pick they take BPA and then go in FA market and see what moves they can make, if they land a good FA then they look at things and see what the major team needs are and then a Cousins deal might be considered.

[LovebugParticipant]

You don’t have a gauge on what it would take for the Kings

He is considered a possible top 5 talent who until this point has said he wants to retire in Sacramento

It would take a top 2 pick to get the Kings to remotely look at it, and a lot more

I don’t think the Kings move Cousins but hire a new coach that actually fits with him.

[LovebugParticipant]

You don’t have a gauge on what it would take for the Kings

He is considered a possible top 5 talent who until this point has said he wants to retire in Sacramento

It would take a top 2 pick to get the Kings to remotely look at it, and a lot more

I don’t think the Kings move Cousins but hire a new coach that actually fits with him.

[HitsterParticipant]

DMC does need to be in the right situation, I still see Boston with the pick via the Nets and if that happens to be outside top 2 or 3 then that could be in play. Don’t forget Boston have loads of assets so could almost certainly put together the best trade offers a team would realistically offer.

I think that the Kings would want Russell or this year’s draft pick as a condition of even opening negoiations with Lakers.

I don’t see the Lakers doing anything pre draft day and of course it all depends if they retain their pick. Say they get 3rd pick they take BPA and then go in FA market and see what moves they can make, if they land a good FA then they look at things and see what the major team needs are and then a Cousins deal might be considered.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Russell to get Cousins 4 sure.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Russell to get Cousins 4 sure.

[r377Participant]

Cousins physically is very good, mentally he is a cancer.

They should of traded him two years ago, now his trade value is dropping each week. I would say at least half the teams in the league would not touch him.

It would not surprise me if he blows up or does something foolish before the season is finished….

[r377Participant]

Cousins physically is very good, mentally he is a cancer.

They should of traded him two years ago, now his trade value is dropping each week. I would say at least half the teams in the league would not touch him.

It would not surprise me if he blows up or does something foolish before the season is finished….

[MopgrassParticipant]

 As a Laker fan, I’d find it more exciting for them to develop slowly. Grabbing Cousins would stunt the growth of some of the young guys. Whatever the price, it’s too much. I haven’t heard that he’s bad for teammates, but he’s toxic for coaches and his technicals take back his value a bit. A major market also might expose his oddities more. He’d be under a microscope. He always looks like he’s on the border of crying. Always. Great player, but I’m not sure about his mental state. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 As a Laker fan, I’d find it more exciting for them to develop slowly. Grabbing Cousins would stunt the growth of some of the young guys. Whatever the price, it’s too much. I haven’t heard that he’s bad for teammates, but he’s toxic for coaches and his technicals take back his value a bit. A major market also might expose his oddities more. He’d be under a microscope. He always looks like he’s on the border of crying. Always. Great player, but I’m not sure about his mental state. 

[HitsterParticipant]

Would any top player really want DMC as a running mate I wonder?

That would probably be the best test of his real worth. LBJ wanted K-Love on his team. The Miami big 3 and the Boston big 3 all got on well as team mates but their friendship was more professional than personal.

Perhaps DMC does need a real superstar or at least a franchise level talent on his case to get him into line. Imagine him playing his face in a locker room containing a peak Kobe or KG for example. But that team would probably be a winning team so DMC could be happier.

Does DMC want to be a 25ppg player on a lottery team or share the spotlight as a 20ppg player on a genuine contender I wonder? 

[HitsterParticipant]

Would any top player really want DMC as a running mate I wonder?

That would probably be the best test of his real worth. LBJ wanted K-Love on his team. The Miami big 3 and the Boston big 3 all got on well as team mates but their friendship was more professional than personal.

Perhaps DMC does need a real superstar or at least a franchise level talent on his case to get him into line. Imagine him playing his face in a locker room containing a peak Kobe or KG for example. But that team would probably be a winning team so DMC could be happier.

Does DMC want to be a 25ppg player on a lottery team or share the spotlight as a 20ppg player on a genuine contender I wonder? 

[Author]

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