The Lakers want to trade for DeMarcus Cousins.
George Karl wants Cousins traded.
But the Kings coach must convince owner Vivek Ranadivé and front-office head Vlade Divac, both of whom said the center won’t be dealt. A key factor: what Sacramento can get in return.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated:
If the Lakers’ offer is one or the other, it’s hard to see a trade happening. But if they’re offering both the No. 2 pick and Randle, we might be onto something.
If I were the Lakers, I’d trade No. 2 and Randle for Cousins.
Cousins has star production, superstar potential and a contract that has three years and $51 million remaining. That’s a bargain as the salary cap skyrockets. And Cousins is just 24.
He has attitude issues, which are the only reason he’s available. You have to take a chance on something, and I’d gamble on Cousins maturing in a different environment.
I’m not sure Sacramento would go for it, though. Not only might not that be enough value in a vacuum, the Kings appear bent on winning now. A rookie and someone with one game of NBA experience might not appeal to them.
But if the Lakers are willing to surrender fair value, that gets the ball rolling – perhaps for a three-way trade with No. 2 and Randle going to a team thinking more long-term and that team sending veterans to Sacramento.
The Lakers are short on assets. It’s nearly impossible to see them trading for Cousins without including No. 2 and Randle. But if they’re willing to do that, we might be onto something.