Is DeMarcus Cousins ideal trade target for Houston Rockets?

After another season of heartache and disappointments, the Houston Rockets should try and strike a deal for Kings unhappy All-Star DeMarcus Cousins.

If anyone is looking for an unhappy superstar ready to bailout their current situation, look no further than Sacramento Kings All-Star DeMarcus Cousins. Despite developing into the league’s top center, Cousins has spent the majority of his NBA career in despair.

Management has greatly failed to provide enough talent to build around him. He has had six difference coaches since entering the league in 2010. As well as failing to end the Kings’ 10-year postseason drought.

In fact, the last time the Kings were in the playoffs. Mike Bibby, Peja Stojaković, and Ron Artest were still on the team, and Boogie himself was still in grade school.

The only hardware Cousins has earned so far in his career is a gold medal during the 2014 World Cup in Spain. So unless the Kings trade for another all-star and become champions within the next two years, many are expecting that Cousins’ days in the state capital are coming to an end.

Next: A Fresh Start For Boogie?

Apr 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard James Harden (13) walk down the court after the Rockets were called for a foul against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

A New Beginning in Houston?

As Boogie is scheduled to hit the free agency market during the summer of 2018, perhaps it is in the Kings best interest to trade their all-star center now before losing him for nothing.

With young and talented assets on their current roster. The Houston Rockets should enter the Boogie Cousins Sweepstakes before the rest of the league tries to get their hands on him. Certainly last season was one of H-Towns most frustrating seasons in franchise history. Followed by the departure of Dwight Howard a trade for Cousins would breathe new life into the Rockets championship aspirations.

Teaming him alongside James Harden, The Rockets would give Cousins the best opportunity to compete for a championship. While Houston’s young and talented assets can help shape a bright future in Sacramento.

Next: Trade Options

What The Rockets Can Offer?

The possibility of the trade. pic.twitter.com/KkEvyhA5H0

— Coty Davis (@Mr_Thriller83) July 26, 2016

To gain the Kings’ interest to trade away their franchise player. The Rockets must be willing to give up a package full of their young and talented players. Similar to the deal Daryl Morey made last summer when acquiring Ty Lawson from the Denver Nuggets.

The Kings would not only lose the league’s best center but his departure will leave a huge void to be filled. The lack of a big would make Clint Capela a major key in this trade.

He is nowhere near as offensively gifted as Boogie, but Capela is turning into a defensive stud. In some ways, one can make a case that Capela is a slightly better defender than Cousins. A front line that would feature the offensive-minded Willie Cauley-Stein and the defensive anchor Clint Capela would be intriguing to the Kings.

Another player that could catch the attention of the Kings is K.J. McDaniels. Like Capela, McDaniels is a great young player who has proven he can play at the professional level.

During the first half of his rookie season, he was quickly making a name for himself with the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately, after the trade he became a third string player behind James Harden and Jason Terry. The main issue became his lack of playing time which may have hindered his growth as a player.

Although the Kings are solid at shooting guard with Arron Afflalo and Ben McLemore, McDaniels would have a better chance of playing there than behind Harden. Besides, what many failed to realize is that McDaniels is a versatile guard who can also play the point. So as Darren Collison continues to struggle, McDaniels would have a chance at reviving his career as a floor general.

The last young core piece the Rockets can intrigue the Kings with is second-year forward Sam Dekker. Despite missing his rookie season due to a back issue, Dekker has proved he is ready to make a huge splash after his phenomenal Summer League performance. With Rudy Gay rumored to be on his way out of Sacramento, what better way to replace the Kings veteran player than a young swingman like Dekker?

To match the salary of DeMarcus Cousins’ contract, the Rockets would have to add either Trevor Ariza or Corey Brewer to the trade. After making it clear that Ariza is not available for any trade offers, Brewer would be a great toss in for the trade.

Sure giving up these players and not to mention next year’s draft picks is a huge risk. However, I am sure Daryl Morey would be more than happy to make this trade for the league’s best big man.

Next: The Rockets Fit

Jan 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots over Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Kings 117-116 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

How to blast off and boogie with Cousins?

After having one of the most frustrating seasons in franchise history, a trade for DeMarcus Cousins would automatically make Houston a top contender in the tough Western Conference. However, much like the Dwight Howard era, pairing Cousins and James Harden does not necessarily guarantee a championship for Clutch City.

If Harden and Cousins are willing to share the ball, they can create the best duo in franchise history. Even more so than Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler of the mid-90s.

Since Cousins is younger and faster, the Rockets would be able to play at a rapid pace in Mike D’Antoni’s system. To appreciate the potential of Cousins in D’Antoni’s system, just flashback to Amare Stoudemire‘s heydays with the Phoenix Suns.

After losing Howard to the Atlanta Hawks this summer. Houston would continue to have a solid presence down low with Cousins.

However, Cousins’ post moves are more offensively sound than that of Howard. So in a way, D12’s departure would allow the Rockets to upgrade at the center position. In spite of Cousins’ post moves, he has developed into a solid jump shooting big man.

Personally, behind Anthony Davis, and Al Horford, I think Cousins is the third best jump shooting center in the league.

According to the NBA Player Tracking stats, Cousins shot 67.9 percent from 15-20 feet when assisted by a teammate. With Harden, as the primary ball handler, imagine how unstoppable Houston’s high pick-and-roll would become between Cousins and Harden.

If their defenders decide to double Harden when coming off the pick, it would leave an open Cousins to take a 15-foot jumper. If Houston’s defenders decide not to double off the pick from Cousins. We all know how deadly The Beard is when isolated on offense.

Although he is not known as a defensive anchor, Cousins would be able to help Houston’s defensive wounds. According to the NBA Defensive Player Tracking stats, when defending players, Cousins is allowing his opponents to shoot 45.0 percent from the field. So DeMarcus Cousins would be an upgrade to the Rockets defense.

Next: Odds it could happen

Feb 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Odds of Landing Boogie 

Although it is not impossible for the Rockets to trade for DeMarcus Cousins, it would still be a long shot due to the stubbornness of Kings management.

Honestly, everyone would come out on the winning side of the trade. The Rockets will once again be a championship contender. The Kings will have a young and talented core to rebuild around over the next few years. As well as giving Cousins a new beginning to his NBA career.

Regardless if the Kings trade DeMarcus Cousins are not, his career in Sacramento is quickly coming to an end. Here’s hoping that his next destination is Houston.

Next: Clint Capela 2016 Highlight Reel

Next: K.J. McDaniels 2016 Highlight Reel

Next: Examining Sam Dekker Summer League Performance

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