With the NBA Draft just two days, speculation surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers No. 2 pick has grown rampant. One of the latest reports has the the team trying to acquire DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings while giving up their high draft pick.
— Have you seen the ‘Lakers Nation’ phone case? —
In addition, Kings head coach George Karl is reportedly the one spearheading Sacramento’s effort to get rid of Cousins. The feeling appears to be mutual between the two as Cousins himself asked to be traded in May, according to Sacramento based KHTK Sports 1140’s Carmichael Dave via Aaron Bruski of CBS Sports:
.@CarmichaelDave reporting that DeMarcus Cousins asked for a trade one month ago. CD adds that Cousins’ camp was split on the decision.
— Aaron Bruski (@aaronbruski) June 23, 2015
As it stands, the Kings seem to be a franchise is disarray. Despite his reputation of being a hard player to coach, Sacramento went ahead and offered Cousins a contract extension two summers ago. The move signaled a belief that Cousins would be a King for the long-term. However, with the latest reports, everything is up in the air with the coach and player not seeing eye-to-eye.
Although nothing is certain, the Lakers will likely be adding a quality big man one way or another this summer. If the team can’t put together a deal for Cousins, Jahlil Okafor is expected to come the next Laker center with their No. 2 pick.
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