Sacramento Kings Trade Rumors: After Losing Playoff Chances, Team Shopping Around DeMarcus Cousins

By Carlo Monzon
DeMarcus Cousins
Sacramento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins generates continued interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Wikimedia Commons/Scott Mecum

With a current record of 8-15, it's probably safe to say that the Sacramento Kings have already been kicked out of playoff contention. According to sources, this could eventually push the team to trade away DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins has been known as one of the most productive players in the current NBA season. Although it would appear that trading him doesn't make sense for the Kings, it would eventually based on the team's long-term plans, according to Bleacher Report.

Even though Cousins averages 28.8 points per game this season, Sacramento is still struggling to win games with him on the lineup. According to Chris Broussard of Fox Sports, the Kings have already set forth a condition for keeping Cousins.

If they are able to secure a playoff spot this season, then they will most likely keep Cousins. However, if they get eliminated, then they will probably trade him. Based on where the Kings are currently at, it seems they would go with the latter option.

"The last time I talked to people about [DeMarcus Cousins], which was last week, what I was being told is that the Kings want to keep him into the trade deadline or close to the trade deadline and see where they are as a team," Broussard said via Hoops Hype.

"If they are competing and in the playoff hunt, what I'm told is they would like to keep him," he added.

If the Kings decide to keep Cousins, then they will use their trade options, draft picks and the free agency to build a roster around him. But, due to salary restrictions imposed by Cousins' contract, doing so might be very challenging for the team.

Trading him, on the other hand, along with other veterans of the Sacramento franchise, will create enough salary space for the Kings to secure the rookie athletes that they want. Through this option, they will be able to build a younger and possibly stronger team for the 2017 season, which is what many teams did this year.

As for Cousins, although it is not yet clear where he will end up next season, there are certainly a lot of teams that will greatly benefit in trading for him.

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories