Rockets: Exploring 2 potential trades for DeMarcus Cousins

2. Brooklyn Nets

Before the Houston Rockets can even consider moving DeMarcus Cousins to the Brooklyn Nets, they’ll need to first find out whether his feelings toward James Harden have changed, as Cousins was very vocal about his displeasure with how Harden carried himself prior to being dealt by the Rockets.

“The disrespect started way before any interview. Just his approach to training camp, showing up the way he did, the antics off the court.

The disrespect started way before. This isn’t something that all of a sudden happened last night.

The other 14 guys in the locker room have done nothing to him. We’ve only showed up to work like everybody else. It’s completely unfair to the rest of the guys in the locker room.”

Cousins previously played alongside Kevin Durant with the Golden State Warriors and it’s been reported that the two have a good relationship, which could swing the balance on any potential Harden disdain. Not to mention the fact that the Nets are one of the few teams that could deliver Cousins’ first championship of his career, as they boast the league’s best Big Three in Harden, Durant, and Kyrie Irving.

The need is obviously there for Brooklyn, as they are in dire need for an additional big, which is a problem that first arose when they included Jarrett Allen in the Harden trade. The Nets have been viewed as a potential buyout destination for Andre Drummond, but they will have considerably more competition for Drummond than Cousins.

Cousins is certainly a defensive liability, but the Nets have DeAndre Jordan for defense, so Cousins’ offensive production could be advantageous for Brooklyn, and all they’d need Cousins to do is crash the glass, catch lobs and provide scoring, which are all things that Cousins can do well.

For two second-round picks, the Nets should make this deal.

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