The Los Angeles Lakers were in fact in trade talks with the Sacramento Kings to acquire arguably the best center in the league in DeMarcus Cousins, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:
The Lakers were engaged today with Sacramento in discussions regarding a trade for Boogie Cousins, but a source… https://t.co/16yzRAslrt
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 20, 2017
Although the Lakers once again showed interest in landing Cousins in a blockbuster deal, Los Angeles was unwilling to part ways with Brandon Ingram in the trade, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
Kings wanted Brandon Ingram in a trade package for Cousins, but Lakers refused to include him, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 20, 2017
The last time these two teams had been rumored to be talking about a trade involving Cousins, the Kings were said to have wanted D’Angelo Russell in return for the All-Star center. Obviously, that trade never came to fruition and it appears this one won’t either with the former Kentucky star possibly on his way to the New Orleans Pelicans to play alongside a fellow Wildcat alum, Anthony Davis.
The Pelicans appear to have pulled out in front in the trade talks with the Lakers now seemingly taking a backseat, via Wojnarowkski:
Sources: Kings, Lakers discussed parameters on Cousins deal in past 48 hours, but Sacramento ended talks in late afternoon. Pels are focus.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 20, 2017
Ultimately, the Kings decided to make a deal with the Pelicans in exchange on Sunday night, via Wojnarowski:
Sacramento has agreed to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 20, 2017
With the Cousins saga now seemingly over, at least until the offseason, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Lakers try to make a similar move. Jimmy Butler and Paul George appear could be on the move as well. Los Angeles could attempt to see if there’s a trade package that intrigues the Chicago Bulls or the Indiana Pacers in the coming days.
