The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly in discussions with the Sacramento Kings over the framework of how a trade deal involving DeMarcus Cousins would work.
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Tension has been growing in Sacramento with owner Vivek Ranadive and general manager Vlade Divac insisting that Cousins was not available for a trade this summer, while coach George Karl continued to fan the flames by suggesting that he was tradeable.
With the All-Star taking to Twitter to deliver a not-so-subtle shot at his coach, it threatens to boil over and eventually force him out the door, and the Lakers have been at the forefront of discussions to take him ahead of the NBA Draft 2015 on Thursday night.
The Lakers possess the number two overall pick in the Draft, and it is said that they are willing to include that in a package to acquire one of the most talented big men in the league.
However, it appears as though it could get a lot more expensive for the Lakers if they choose to make the deal, as they would also have to part company with some of their most prized assets.
“The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings exchanged frameworks of a trade centered on All-Star DeMarcus Cousins on Wednesday and discussions could intensify on Thursday, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
“Kings vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac has pursued a possible deal that would include a bevvy of assets, including the Lakers’ No. 2 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, rookies Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson and other draft assets, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Sacramento also would want to unload the remainder of forward Carl Landry‘s two years, $13.5 million contract, league sources said.”
Losing three top young talents seemed nonsensical from the Lakers point of view, but acquiring a player that can be a cornerstone for the franchise for years to come and is already an established talent is something that they may not be able to ignore if a deal can be made.
While they will likely push to exclude one of their players from the deal while also looking to acquire Sacramento’s No.6 pick, the Kings in turn will know that they will need to receive significant assets in return if they are to part company with their best player and keep fans on their side.
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