Report: Thomas didn't encourage Celtics to go after Cousins
As fallout from DeMarcus Cousins' trade to the New Orleans Pelicans continues, the question being asked over and over again is how the Sacramento Kings didn't reap more value in return for the three-time All-Star. At least two full seasons of trade rumors linked interest in Cousins to more asset-rich teams, including the Boston Celtics.
However, the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett reported Monday that former Cousins teammate Isaiah Thomas wasn't exactly encouraging to Celtics brass about such a move. From Bulpett:
The lack of a push on Cousins from the Celtics may be revealing in itself. There was a time when sources insisted the Celts found him appealing, but not to the degree where they'd give up either of the first-rounders owed them by Brooklyn. Now it's fair to infer that the scouting report the C's got from Isaiah Thomas on his former teammate was not encouraging for his fit here. In fact, sources have indicated that to be the case.
Thomas and Cousins played three seasons together with the Kings, before the diminutive guard was jettisoned to the Phoenix Suns for a trade exception and a player named Alex Oriakhi, who is now playing in Turkey. After that deal, Cousins opined that the Kings' ball movement was better without Thomas.
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Thomas has since gone on to two All-Star appearances with the Celtics, another chapter in a long line of Sacramento front-office failures. Yet as the Cousins deal sets itself up for another one, there are legitimate questions about the center's self-control issues on the court - as evidenced by his league-leading 16 technical fouls this season. Following news of Sunday's trade, Kings broadcaster Grant Napear went on a Twitter diatribe slamming Cousins and praising the lopsided deal, including stating that "most of Cousins' teammates the past seven years hated playing with him."
Despite those temperament concerns, virtually all NBA observers agree that Cousins is a top-10 talent on a favorable contract through next season. The Celtics are known to be on the lookout for a superstar-caliber player thanks in part to their treasure trove of draft assets, although recent reports have appeared to focus on Jimmy Butler.