The NBA offseason just got a lot more intriguing. Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins is a walking trade rumor, issuing symbolic tweets, evoking strident refusals from Sacramento Kings management and becoming the most important unresolved player transaction for 2016.
Kings Owner Vivek Ranadive has all but given Cousins’ agent Dan Fegan the green light to seek a trade with the conference rival Los Angeles Lakers. According to USA Today‘s Sam Amick, the tension between Ranadive and VP of Basketball Operations Vlade Divac has come to a head, with the head honcho winning by way of veto:
When Fegan tried to orchestrate a trade that would send Cousins to the Los Angeles Lakers in the days leading up to the draft – one that Kings owner Vivek Ranadive gave him permission to pursue when he made it clear that Cousins wanted out – it wouldn’t have shocked anyone if Divac decided to do the deal just to quiet this storm.
Cousins’ name has been tossed around like a rag doll since the arrival of new head coach George Karl, who has pushed for roster changes and his own imprint on the squad. As a Ranadive hire, he’s been given a wide purview to put those pieces in place – and they reportedly don’t include Cousins. Divac, though, has staunchly denied that Sacramento is considering trading the All-Star big man.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who are seeking a new franchise piece to carry the mantle of Laker greatness, were allegedly involved in trade talks for their Number 2 lottery pick, but they selected D’Angelo Russell without incident. If the Ranadive go-ahead is still in play, the Lakers might make the biggest offseason haul in the league.
(Via USA Today)
