Captain Caveman wrote:Andrew McCeltic wrote:3/16/Smart for Butler is kind of bonkers, Bulls could very very easily win that trade within two seasons. More development from Smart, development from the picks, and aging/injuries from Butler.
Going to leave the Cousins stuff alone, it would be good if someone could make a list of the stuff he's actually done. I'd only say it's exactly the confidence of Cave's analysis that makes me doubt it: Cousins is bipolar, he's a horrible teammate, open and shut case, with no role played by context, circumstance, environment, bad, changing ownership, a revolving door of coaches, with the one who had the team winning and Cousins maturing fired without cause and replaced by one of the most temperamental d*ck coaches in league history, plus a revolving door of GMs, with Pete D'Allesandro, a former agent, oozing Sidney Falco sleaze every time he opened his mouth. Oh, and prolonged losing. But yeah, the people in charge of that who have summed up Cousins' character and potential are definitely reliable.
There's enough blame to go around with the Kings. Guy is still a grade A a-hole who is completely detested by a long list of people who have to work with or around him. Has clashed tons with nearly all of his coaches and teammates, and is constantly disruptive in that locker room. He did it at Kentucky and he'd do the same here. It's why he went 5th in the draft, behind guys like Turner and Wes Johnson.
Don't even take my word for it. Go back and read what Grant Napear said about him. Who the hell feuds with their own team's super homer announcer? When has that ever happened before? lol
Best part of this "debate" is that it's like the one we had over David Lee. We could have this discussion from now until the end of time, and there's not a chance in hell that I'll be wrong on this.
Bottom line is that the guy has some talent but is a completely toxic person to his core. Be the last to know if you absolutely insist. I'll be right over here when it isn't possible to deny it anymore.
You say there's enough blame to go around with the Kings, then go on at length about Cousins' faults. I'm just not convinced yet he's Derrick Coleman level toxic, or Vin Baker level irredeemable. Just as likely he gets traded somewhere like San Antonio or Minnesota and excels with the right coach and organization.
Coaches/orgs who would definitely take a chance on Cousins: Miami/Riley, Denver/Mike Malone, Milwaukee/Jason Kidd, the Lakers (because they're desperate), Oklahoma City (if Durant leaves, Kanter+ for Cousins). Probably Orlando and Portland, too, because they need talent.
Just watched [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f83X0CwYNC4[/youtube]
and [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3PvxRuGCOs[/youtube]
Two different vibes he gives off. Guy honestly just looks like he's insecure, fragile, needs to be handled gently and respectfully, will get his back up at the slightest confrontation, easily ruffled. But that's manageable.. If you can get him at a discount because of his red flags, like not Crowder, Smart, IT, Bradley or the Brooklyn pick (maybe Brooklyn '17 or '18), you have to gamble on it. Like, if we're dealing Amir, Sullinger S&T, Young, Rozier, spare picks, and that's all it takes? Do it, you can always waive him later.
Calling someone 'completely toxic to his core' and then smugly winking doesn't convince me you're an authority on diplomacy, either.
So Anthony Davis is making 7 million and change this season, next season his extension kicks in and he make 20 something million. If he were traded on draft day, what is the value of his contract in the trade. Is it his salary this year...or something more because of the extension?
