Trade Targets (postcript on yesterday-other teams)

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Our starters have definitely improved over the season. Knight is shooting 37% the last 10 games. I'm talking about being down 17 against the Nets, the Celtics pulling within 1 point with 2 minutes left, overtime against the Lakers...

Defense puts you in position to win but you still have to be able to outscore the opponent. The other teams D gets turned up too, and refs let a lot of contact go especially if its not a star player. When the chips are down you have to have a guy that can score when he has to. The last 5 games Giannis has stepped up to an amazing level of play. San Antonio has Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli to lean on. Right now we are winning with defense and a lot of transition, transition that won't be there come playoff time. Call it rhetoric because you want to feel good but I need to see some halfcourt offense bloom before I have any confidence in winning a playoff series.

I was talking about on/offs improving. starters and knight have been producing outstanding numbers DESPITE knights efficiency dropping. its the bench that's falling off.

we have top 3 defense and extremely strong shooting from deep across the lineup. those will be extremely strong assets in the playoffs. we do turn it over too much. d gets turned up then turnovers could screw us. the main things that makes me nervous are nervy youth, turnovers, and bullsht officiating.

but we haven't gotten blown out in months. we haven't had a 3 game losing streak in months. and every stinking time our backs have been against the wall weve stepped up and walloped somebody. I believe in this team. its ok if we have different expectations at this point. I would respect anybodys nervousness about it.

[raferfenix]

If the Kings put Demarcus Cousins on the market how much do we think we offer for him?

Would Knight, Henson + picks give us a shot? Wonder who would / could beat our best offer.

And of course it might be crazy for Sacramento to trade him, but it probably can't be ruled out.

For instance...

DeMarcus Cousins, upset at reports that he may be against George Karl's hiring as the next Sacramento Kings coach, wouldn't talk about his winning shot Sunday but instead addressed the media with a cryptic rant.

"I ain't pumped up. I've just got a lot on my mind," he told reporters. "The crazy thing about it is, I've just got a question for y'all: How you gonna stop God's plan? How you gonna do that? How you gonna do that? That's all I want to know. How you gonna stop God's plan?

"Man, this city done put me through so much, and I stayed loyal to it the whole time. Hey, I just wanna know, how you gonna stop God's plan? God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. The marathon continues. I'm out."

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId= ... rc=desktop

[Dcebucks11]

If the Kings put Demarcus Cousins on the market how much do we think we offer for him?

Would Knight, Henson + picks give us a shot? Wonder who would / could beat our best offer.

And of course it might be crazy for Sacramento to trade him, but it probably can't be ruled out.

For instance...

DeMarcus Cousins, upset at reports that he may be against George Karl's hiring as the next Sacramento Kings coach, wouldn't talk about his winning shot Sunday but instead addressed the media with a cryptic rant.

"I ain't pumped up. I've just got a lot on my mind," he told reporters. "The crazy thing about it is, I've just got a question for y'all: How you gonna stop God's plan? How you gonna do that? How you gonna do that? That's all I want to know. How you gonna stop God's plan?

"Man, this city done put me through so much, and I stayed loyal to it the whole time. Hey, I just wanna know, how you gonna stop God's plan? God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. The marathon continues. I'm out."

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId= ... rc=desktop

They would want alot more than that and plus Cousins would hate being traded here.

[Baddy Chuck]

I'm not sure they trade Cousins for Giannis.

[TroyD92]

Nothing we have will get Cousins minus Jabari and Giannis.

[raferfenix]

Ok let's say we can't get Cousins.

Who do we think makes the best offer for him?

We've heard plenty of whispers about the Bucks talking deals with the Kings. Maybe we'd facilitate.

[ampd]

The Jazz traded then superstar possible best PG in the league Deron Williams for Derrick Favors and two 1sts. The Kings would get something similar for a disgruntled cousins, and Jabari + two 1sts would probably be the best offer they could get.

[blazza18]

I think Cousins is this years Love. Both top 7-15 players, who for whatever reason, haven't exactly put their team over the lottery hump. It would be interesting to see what it would take for the Kings to trade him.

[imithanos]

Cousins is a perfect fit for LAL.

[joedumars1]

I think Cousins is this years Love. Both top 7-15 players, who for whatever reason, haven't exactly put their team over the lottery hump. It would be interesting to see what it would take for the Kings to trade him.

Cousins isn't love. I heard he is the only player since, Barkley, Malone, and Hakeem to put up the #'s he is this year so far. He has a mean streak to him, Love doesn't imo. I actually don't see him as that big of a distraction especially if he was on a winning team.

@ampd: The Jabari and 2 1st to the Kings might do it, but they would want to see if Jababri is fully healthy i'd think. I'm not sure you guys want to do that trade tho

[Buckfan76]

I bet the LAL would do Randle and their 1st rd pick for D. Cousins

[Prez]

I think Cousins is this years Love. Both top 7-15 players, who for whatever reason, haven't exactly put their team over the lottery hump. It would be interesting to see what it would take for the Kings to trade him.

Cousins is different from Love. Primarily because of defense..I'm not a huge advanced stats guy, but they point to Cousins being one of the most impactful defenders in the game. When he's on his game and engaged, he can be an excellent defender minus the flashy block and steal totals. His offense and rebounding are both elite, as expected. All things considered the dude is arguably a top 6-7 player purely based on impact, and the eye test (from when the Kings weren't a mess) more or less confirms it.

His problems revolve more around being in one of the most dysfunctional franchises in sports right now, a weak coach, and a severe lack of talent around him in a conference that's absolutely stacked to hell with talent. I mean, the guy is going to war with Rudy Gay and Ben Mclemore on his side...in a conference with KD/Westbrook, Curry/Thompson, Lillard/Aldridge, CP3/Blake, etc..to succeed in that conference you either need to have dominant star power like OKC or LA, be a machine of a team like SA or Memphis, or have both like GS.

This is all irrelevant though, considering what we'd have to give up to get him isn't even worth it, and that he wouldn't be cool with coming here.

[Bucks4Milwaukee]

No interest in Cousins at all. That rant alone would be reason enough not to trade for him, even if it was for a bag of peanuts.

[Ron Swanson]

Cousins is a much better player than Love. He's arguably the most dominant offensive post player in the league right now.

Only thing that holds him back, and has always held him back, is his attitude.

[raferfenix]

Kings ownership might hold Cousins back too.

Then again the open antipathy towards George Karl from Cousins' camp bodes ill all around.

What a train wreck.

[SpursNBucks]

Cousins is a much better player than Love. He's arguably the most dominant offensive post player in the league right now.

Only thing that holds him back, and has always held him back, is his attitude.

And with the issues with Sanders - I don't think the Bucks would be willing to part with the load it would take to get him. They are building chemistry/cohesiveness = Cousins could tear that down. Also, I don't see him being happy in Milwaukee.

[Wisky4life]

It won't happen but if we could get Cousins as a rental this year without giving up something important, I would do it.

His team chemistry and off court issues would drive us insane and it is going to take a lot of assets to get him from the kings.

[Frank Nova]

Karl traded 26yo Ray Allen for a 38yo Glove rental. I won't put anything past him once he's at the helm in Sacto. Boogie can easily get the boot if George sees the headache being too much. Not saying Ray and Cousins situations are similar (they aren't) but Karl is a "I do what I want" type coach and I wouldn't be shocked to see Cousins moved for a head scratching package we all think we might've been able to beat. Obviously just a theory but if I were a Kings fan and a Cousins fan Id be scared right now something crazy is likely to happen.

[chonestown]

It won't happen but if we could get Cousins as a rental this year without giving up something important, I would do it.

His team chemistry and off court issues would drive us insane and it is going to take a lot of assets to get him from the kings.

The police blotter should scare all comers away.

http://www.businessinsider.com/demarcus-cousins-clay-travis-tweet-2015-1

Pray tell, what are his off-court issues? Doesn't put the toilet seat down? Incorrectly uses the royal 'we?' Doesn't get a new plate when he goes back through the line at the Old Country Buffet?

[M-C-G]

Cousins is a great talent, and could thrive under Kidd...I just am not willing to give up Parker or Giannis for him and my guess is they would be asking for both to start the negotiation.

In an alternate universe where Sanders is back to DPOY type form, I'd be happy to trade him and a couple of picks to get a deal done...but unfortunately we don't live in that universe and no one other than the kids have the kind of value to get a deal done.