DeMarcus Cousins has been in more trade rumors than anyone can imagine and they don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. The Kings have been less of a circus this year and still, the big man finds himself in a familiar situation.
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, several general managers around the league think that Boogie being traded this season is inevitable:
But take heart, because there’s reason to think that by the time February’s trade deadline comes around, Cousins will no longer be with the Kings — and a move could come in the first half of December. That’s the speculation among front office executives around the league, at least.
“I’d say they have three months, tops,” one Western Conference general manager told Sporting News, requesting anonymity because he is not allowed to speak about other teams’ players. “Probably more like a month, or month-and-a-half, because the closer they get to the (February trade) deadline, the less they’re going to get back. If you’re trying to trade him the week of the deadline, it’s going to be tougher.”
This is a very interesting case. Cousins seems to like new head coach Dave Joerger and the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture is weak enough to where the Kings could sneak in.
However, trading Cousins this season would be the most ample time. He will be a free agent following next season, meaning he could leave for nothing. Waiting to trade him at next year’s deadline would minimize the return Sacramento could get for a star center, as most teams would be worried of a four-month rental.
That said, it’s hard to completely take this rumor for its word. Opposing GM’s probably want to lower Cousins’ trade value and he’s been the subject of trade rumors far too many times (including by team minority owner Shaq) without any action. Regardless, DeMarcus Cousins’ situation in Sacramento is something to keep an eye on.
