NBA Rumors: LA Lakers Target DeMarcus Cousins Trade; D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson Look Forward to Vet Contract

Dec 08, 2016 08:33 AM EST

The Los Angeles Lakers are shaping up to become the underdogs in the NBA playoffs this season. With D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young finally finding ways to work together, the former Kobe Bryant squad has turned into one of the most exciting teams in the league. However, it is widely known that the Jordan Clarkson team is in dire need of one more thing to push them higher - a veteran star capable of leading the group of young players.

Among the potential NBA stars in the radar of the Los Angeles Lakers, the most widely sought after is none other than DeMarcus Cousins. The explosive Sacramento Kings center, who also caught the interest of the Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, and New York Knicks, has been the subject of NBA trade rumors since the George Karl era. However, the Rudy Gay team appears to be adamant in keeping him in the team.

With the recent turn of events, however, it looks like a DeMarcus Cousins trade could be in the works. Right now, fans of the Sacramento Kings want nothing more but to see their franchise rebuilt from the ground up. Considering that the front office and staff have consistently failed to sign NBA stars to complement the center, many believe that a divorce is the best solution. With this in mind, the Los Angeles Lakers seem to be the most attractive team for both the Sacramento Kings and DeMarcus Cousins right now.

"The Kings long ago declared DeMarcus Cousins an untouchable, for reasons that only the Kings know. In theory, Cousins should be more touchable than an elevator button," shared Shaun Powell of NBA.com. He further noted, "For better or worse, the Kings are officially on the clock with Cousins, given his contract situation. How they handle it will dictate the future of a franchise that desperately needs a shakeup in the right direction. The tighter they cling to him, the closer he gets to free agency and the less he'll fetch in a trade should they change their mind at the 11th hour."

Bringing in a DeMarcus Cousins trade to the Los Angeles Lakers could boost the young team especially since the Sacramento Kings star has proven his skills in both ends of the court. With the big man leading the group, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson could concentrate on improving their craft while learning from a veteran star. Moreover, the feisty personality of the center is a great fit to the lively atmosphere in the Los Angeles Lakers locker room.

At this point though, no official comment has been given by any of the parties concerned. However, advocates of the DeMarcus Cousins trade believe that the move to the Los Angeles Lakers would do wonders to the star. Moreover, the impressive coaching of Luke Walton could give the Sacramento Kings star the much needed boost to finally become the best version of himself.