With the NBA Draft just days away, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves being linked to DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings. Although the Kings ownership have maintained Cousins is untradable, head coach George Karl has reportedly been pushing the franchise to trade the center.
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While the latest report has the Orlando Magic being involved in a potential three-team trade, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated shares Julius Randle and the No. 2 pick are in play for Cousins:
So what would L.A. be willing to give up to get Cousins? Julius Randle is in play, according to an NBA source, as well as the No. 2 pick in Cousins trade talk, which has looped in a third team at various points.
Since landing the No. 2 pick at the NBA Draft Lottery, general manager Mitch Kupchak has maintained the team will explore all of their options including a trade. After suffering the worst two seasons in franchise history, the Lakers may be considering speeding up the rebuilding process and Cousins is considered one of the best centers in the league.
While the Lakers were reportedly settling in on selecting Jahlil Okafor on Thursday, it will be interesting to see what the franchise ultimately does. Although the Lakers are not going to compromise the future for what may be Kobe Bryant’s final season, Cousins is only 24 years old and averaged 24.1 points and 12.7 rebounds this past season.
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