25 teams could have theoretically topped the return Kings got for Cousins
Say whatever you want about the headaches that come with DeMarcus Cousins - the bottom line is that he is the league's best center, with no history of major injuries, in his prime at 26, with another year left on his deal.
That's worth more than Buddy Hield, a top-three protected 2017 first-round pick, a future second-round pick, and expiring contracts. Vlade Divac even admitted by tipping his hand that a better deal was available two days before the move was made. The Kings got pennies on the dollar for the most dominant big in the world.
That is to say the New Orleans Pelicans robbed the Sacramento Kings blind. Another 25 teams, provided they were willing, could have offered more value for Cousins.
Granted, this isn't a reflection of the market. The Kings could only accept whatever offers were legitimately put before them. Many of the hypothetical moves listed below don't quite make sense for either team. The point is to illustrate that many teams could have offered more for Cousins than what the Kings ultimately got back.
Here are some fake trade offers that beat the price paid by New Orleans:
Team | Assets sent | Note |
---|---|---|
Hawks | Dennis Schroder | |
2017 1st | ||
2018 1st (via MIN) | ||
2019 1st (via CLE) | ||
Celtics | Amir Johnson | Expiring |
Jaylen Brown | ||
2019 1st (via BKN) | ||
Hornets | Kemba Walker | |
2017 1st | ||
Bulls | Rajon Rondo | Expiring |
Doug McDermott | ||
2017 1st | ||
2017 1st (via SAC) | ||
Cavaliers | Kevin Love | |
Mavericks | Harrison Barnes | |
2017 1st | ||
Nuggets | Danilo Gallinari | Expiring |
Emmanuel Mudiay | ||
2017 1st | ||
Pistons | Tobias Harris | |
Stanley Johnson | ||
2017 1st | ||
Rockets | Patrick Beverley | |
Eric Gordon | ||
Clint Capela | ||
2017 1st | ||
Pacers | Myles Turner | |
Rodney Stuckey | ||
2017 1st | ||
Clippers | Blake Griffin | |
Assets sent | ||
Lakers | Jordan Clarkson | |
Brandon Ingram | ||
2018 1st | ||
Heat | Goran Dragic | |
Justise Winslow | ||
2017 1st | ||
Bucks | Greg Monroe | Expiring |
Malcolm Brogdon | ||
2017 1st | ||
Timberwolves | Nikola Pekovic | Expiring |
Andrew Wiggins | ||
Knicks | Derrick Rose | Expiring |
2017 1st | ||
2019 1st | ||
Thunder | Victor Oladipo | |
Cameron Payne | ||
2017 1st | ||
Magic | Nikola Vucevic | |
2017 1st (via TOR) | ||
2017 1st | ||
76ers | Jahlil Okafor | |
2017 1st | ||
Nik Stauskas | Nik Rocks! | |
Suns | Eric Bledsoe | |
2018 1st (via MIA) | ||
Trail Blazers | Allen Crabbe | |
2017 1st | ||
2017 1st (via CLE) | ||
2017 1st (via MEM) | ||
Spurs | LaMarcus Aldridge | |
Dejounte Murray | ||
Raptors | Jonas Valanciunas | |
Norman Powell | ||
2017 1st | ||
Jazz | Derrick Favors | |
Rodney Hood | ||
2017 1st | ||
Wizards | Bradley Beal |
Teams that didn't make the cut:
- Nets: An utter lack of assets and prospects.
- Memphis: Short of trading franchise cornerstones Mike Conley or Marc Gasol, it's difficult to beat Pelicans' offer.
- Warriors: Golden State would never surrender anyone from its core four, and there's no other way to make a trade without one of its All-Stars.