There is only a couple of weeks more before the NBA trade deadline, and enthusiasts are eyeing which team will the Kings superstar Demarcus Cousins really end up with. The latest NBA trade rumors then have it that the Kings believe that the time for Cousins to flee the team has already come. Furthermore, it has been revealed that the Kings recently sat down with the Suns to talk about a possible trade involving Cousins.
Kings have been a hot topic in multiple trade rumors since the NBA 2016-2017 season started. Much has already been said about his departure from his long-time team, most especially when Kings part-owner Shaquille O'Neal spoke about Cousins' trade. Following this, the multi-season NBA All-star player has since been linked to several teams including the L.A. Lakers, the Boston Celtics, and the Phoenix Suns. Among these potential destinations, though, it appears that the Suns are most interested in picking up the All-Star center.
The NBA trade rumor mill spun several times for Cousins, revealing that his attitude towards his team has been a major deciding factor for his flee. Over the past seasons and even the past year, he has constantly been on the trading block and fans are expecting to finally see him joining another team. While the previous statement of O'Neal has strengthened the speculations, it is still not clear until now whether Cousins is moving this season or not. There are no confirmations yet from Vivek Ranadivé and Cousins himself, but the NBA critic and author John Gambadoro recently sparked talks about the Kings and Suns trade.
According to Gambadoro, there have been discussions between the two teams, but it seems that the Kings will receive a minimum of three players in exchange for their big man. The talk reportedly centered on Kings' Cousins to be traded in exchange of the Suns' center Alex Len, small forward T.J. Warren and the team's 2017 first-round pick and possibly more. Ranadivé - who is also a known Cousins supporter -- is still keeping mum about these talks but followers are expecting to hear some announcements before the trade deadline comes.
The Kings is currently at the bottom five of the Western Conference and so is the Suns who is currently at the last spot. As of Tuesday, the Suns recorded a 15-33 standing, making them the second slumping team in the NBA 2016-2017 season. The team is then reportedly departing with some players so they can take in new ones that can pull them up from the bottom. Cousins is said to be the man the Suns need. As for the Kings, reports suggest that they need high-caliber point guards, and are looking at securing Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball or some other top-tier guards who will be available before Feb. 23.
Cousins has signed a four-year, $65-million contract extension with the Kings in 2013. According to reports, he is supposed to be offered a maximum contract of over $200 million should the Kings choose to keep him rather than trade him. The 26-year-old center is currently averaging a career high of 28.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and a career high of 4.4 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.
