The Kings are refusing to listen to trade offers for DeMarcus Cousins, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Sacramento is aware of the Celtics’ interest in the All-Star center and has received an offer from the Cavaliers. However, it looks as if the Kings are determined to keep Cousins, who has two seasons remaining on his contract. Since the season ended, Cousins has embarked on a hot yoga program and has dropped about 25 pounds.
There’s more from the Western Conference:
- The Suns don’t plan a major move even though they still have more than $13MM in cap space available and a roster spot to fill, writes Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. Phoenix is more than $3MM below the minimum team payroll of $84.73MM, which could help facilitate trades during the season. “I’d be surprised if we spent a lot of that cap space now or over the summertime,” said GM Ryan McDonough. “More likely, we’ll preserve most, if not all of it, and go into the season and look at either in-season signings or probably more likely in-season trades that are lopsided where we take back more money than we send out. There are a decent amount of advantages to operating as an under-the-cap team in terms of player aggregation and trades and things like that.”
- The Jazz appear to have accelerated their development with a series of offseason moves, writes Brian Mahoney of SI.com. Armed with the 12th pick in the first round, Utah swung a three-team deal to acquire George Hill from the Pacers. The Jazz also signed veteran free agents Joe Johnson and traded for Boris Diaw. “There were a couple of things that kind of universally rang true,” said GM Dennis Lindsey. “Experience, physicality, shooting, improved passing, a little more depth at the guard position, a little more depth at the wing position, a little more depth—and not just depth, but experienced depth—at the big man position as well. I think as much as anything, it was just a natural step.”
- The Timberwolves hope to add another wing player and a point guard before the season starts, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Minnesota’s front office held a meeting today to discuss personnel.
- Pistons executive Brian Wright will become the new assistant GM for the Spurs, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
What a shame that the TWolves feel they still need a point guard when they already have a good one ready to go. What will Tyus Jones have to do to get respect? Hopefully he will be granted a better opportunity.
I don’t understand either. They have 3 PGs in Rubio, Dunn and Jones and Lavine can fill in if needed. We have too many power forwards/centers.
Very true, I always forget about LaVine sliding over when need be. I think Dunn will play off the ball more in his rookie year than any other year. Still don’t know if Tyus can handle a backup role. I would think they are looking at Norris Cole, Ty Lawson, Mario Chalmers, Ronnie Price, Tony Douglas. Not much else out there, veteran wise.
Tyus can’t play defense so that is why he will be squeezed but Lavine will play off the ball and I believe Dunn will play off more than on this season. So right now the backup point in terms of minutes is still Tyus imo and he isn’t ready for that. We do need to send out a couple of bigs though imo.
He plays for Thibs, respect is earned through playing defense.
Hopefully tyus has good preseason and can prove himself even more
If Cousins actually gains emotional control from doing yoga, that would be significant. He didnt really need to lose weight.
The Kings have surpassed the Sixers as the biggest joke in the league.
If that’s the case, it’s because the NBA finally excised the Sixers and sent them to the D-League – or Turkey.