NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Need DeMarcus Cousins before Kobe Bryant Exit; Sacramento Kings Reject Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics Offers

Aug 19, 2015 02:05 AM EDT

One of the names constantly linked with NBA trading block rumors is DeMarcus Cousins. While the Sacramento Kings have been adamantly denying the speculations on the potential transfer of the NBA star, it appears that the rumors continue to be rife - that is, the insiders keep saying the same thing despite repeated denial from the team owner.

Although the 2015 NBA Draft looks to be moving forward sans a blockbuster deal involving DeMarcus Cousins and any of the NBA teams vying for his attention, talks on his potential transfer to the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics keep hounding the Sacramento Kings. As for the Los Angeles Lakers, it is widely known in the NBA community that the team is in the process of recruiting players who can very well take over once Kobe Bryant retires from the game. Hence, the addition of DeMarcus Cousins is definitely a step forward that direction.

The rumors of the potential transfer of DeMarcus Cousins to the Los Angeles Lakers came after Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive himself confirmed that the NBA star requested to explore the possibility of playing for other teams next season. Pointing out that lack of chemistry and constant disagreement between DeMarcus Cousins and head coach Greg Karl, the Sacramento Kings owner shared that all he wants for the NBA team is harmony and a healthy working environment. In other words, something's got to give.

Earlier this year, head coach Karl had been quite open about his desire to have DeMarcus Cousins traded to other NBA teams. While the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic were eagerly offering spots for the NBA star, Karl had his eyes on the Denver Nuggets presumably due to his aim to reunite with now Houston Rockets star Ty Lawson. Apart from the Denver Nuggets, the Sacramento Kings head coach also considered trading DeMarcus Cousins to the Boston Celtics.

Given the playing style and attitude of DeMarcus Cousins and the tight reign exhibited by the Sacramento Kings coach, it was apparent for fans of the NBA that this combination will be a challenging fit. However, Karl appears to be backpedaling his stance on DeMarcus Cousins. With the support and backing DeMarcus Cousins got from the owner of Sacramento Kings, it looks like Karl would have to keep his reservations on the NBA star to himself.

"We have a lot of time to get back on the same page," shared Karl with the Boston Globe. He added, "Summer talk and summer drama, I've always thought, is hype and so much of it is untrue. I'm not going to get into it but Cous and I have to work together to get back to together, and we will." Pointing out that the Sacramento Kings are "hungry for winning," the NBA coach said that utilizing the team's "best player" and "most talented kid" would be one of the things the group will work on. He added, "And we need him [DeMarcus Cousins] to fill [a leadership] role. There's a commitment from both sides."

However, the reassurances from the Sacramento Kings did nothing to quash the trade rumors and the talks of animosity in the locker room involving DeMarcus Cousins, the other NBA stars and the head coach. "Sacramento wants to hold onto him," disclosed Bleacher Report's Howard Beck. He went on to say, "Certainly, the owner Vivek Ranadive absolutely wants to hold onto DeMarcus Cousins. But I've been told that if you polled the rest of the organization, the vast majority are in favor of trading DeMarcus Cousins and that would include, though he denies it, coach George Karl."

At the moment, the Sacramento Kings present themselves as a formidable NBA team this upcoming season. With the addition of former Boston Celtic star Rajon Rondo and San Antonio Spurs player Marco Belinelli, the Sacramento Kings are a team to watch out for as the NBA group appears to be hell bent in changing the pace of their games and landing a spot in the playoffs.