The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings are reportedly discussing parameters for a potential DeMarcus Cousins trade ahead of tonight's NBA Draft, despite Kings owner Vivek Ranadive wanting to hold onto him and Cousins stating he wants to stay.
The Lakers can offer the Kings the No. 2 pick in the draft but are hesitant to include power forward Julius Randle. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft, or breakout point guard Jordan Clarkson who is playing on a two-year, $1.3 million contract.
If the Lakers can't make a deal, they are said to be torn between Duke center Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State combo guard D'Angelo Russell at the No. 2 pick. If the Kings do decide to move Cousins, the No. 2 pick would come in handy, because Okafor could slide into Cousins' role as a post player to run the offense through. Okafor is considered to be the most advanced offensive player in the 2015 draft class.
The Lakers are also not the only team showing interest in Cousins. Yahoo Sports reported that the Kings are exploring their options beyond the Lakers, whose consideration is essentially limited to the No. 2 pick if Randle and Clarkson are not on the table. The Boston Celtics are expected to be active and have already made a huge offer to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Celtics are said to have offered second-year guard Marcus Smart, and the No. 16 and No. 28 picks in this draft for center Nerlens Noel and the No. 3 overall pick. That deal is believed to have been turned down by 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie. Boston has several young players to trade, and multiple picks in the next few drafts to use as sweeteners.
[Yahoo]
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