Skip to content

25 teams could have theoretically topped the return Kings got for Cousins

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

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.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox