DeMarcus Cousins’ name has been a focal point of the NBA rumor mill for more than a year, and that doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon.
The Sacramento Kings center is averaging 26 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season, but the Kings are predictably struggling as a team and seem destined for another draft lottery finish.
“I’d say it’s 50-50,” a Western Conference executive told Sam Amico of Amico Hoops when asked if Cousins will be traded this season. “If not, it’s not necessarily because they want to keep him.”
Another executive provided an interesting view on Cousins’ situation, including a food comparison.
“They’ll never get what they want in return,” an Eastern conference general manager said. “They think Cousins is worth more than he actually is. He hurts you every bit as much as he helps you. He’s like a cheeseburger, or booze. Too much and you’ll pay a price.”
Centers aren’t as valuable as they used to be in the NBA. The league has trended to a more run-n-gun, 3-point shooting-heavy style. Big men that don’t shoot from beyond the arc lack substantial value, but Cousins is different. He’s averaged more than 20 points and 11 rebounds in each of the last three seasons.
The problem is his poor attitude, but there’s certainly no denying his amazing talent. The Kings have shown great patience with Cousins, but time is running out. He’s able to become a free agent in 2018, and they can’t afford to let a superstar leave without receiving anything of value in return.
Thumbnail photo via Ed Szczepanski/USA TODAY Sports Images