Free agent center DeMarcus Cousins would be open to returning to Sacramento, league sources tell Jason Jones of The Athletic, but the Kings are looking for someone who fits their up-tempo style of play.
Cousins made three All-Star appearances during his six and a half years with the franchise, though he was often the center of controversy. He clashed with management, particularly coach George Karl, and criticized the organization for not assembling more talent around him. The Kings traded Cousins to New Orleans midway through the 2016/17 season to launch their rebuilding process.
Cousins played in 30 games for the Warriors this season after returning from a ruptured Achilles. His performances were uneven, but he managed to put up 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per night. He suffered a quad injury during the playoffs, but was able to return for the NBA Finals.
Dewayne Dedmon is a better fit for the Kings’ approach to the game, Jones adds, and we relayed their interest in the Hawks’ center last night.
Sacramento’s plan in free agency is to get an early commitment from Harrison Barnes on a four-year deal in the $88MM to $90MM range and then concentrate on finding a center. Jones states that when the offseason began, the front office was considering a new deal for incumbent starter Willie Cauley-Stein, but not the big-money contract he is hoping for. His inconsistency during the season is part of the reason the Kings are looking to make a move.
“If you’re talking about the Sacramento Kings, we know exactly how we’re going to play,” GM Vlade Divac said, “uptempo, athleticism and shooting. The big guy has to check all those boxes for us.”
I know the Sixers have been looking at Horford, but I would take Cousins over him.
At least that is how I feel about it.
Horford would fit much better with Embiid than Cousins
tkool is on point. Horford should really play the 4, and while Cousins came into the NBA as a 4, he filled out to a 5. Plus Horford doesn’t require the ball as much to be effective, whereas Cousins does.
Hard pass.
He’s be a nice fit on the wolves w/ Towns
He’d be great on the Hawks too. They have a nice young core, but are missing a big man.
What do you pay DeMarcus Cousins and what do you expect to get out of him. The nice moments he had in the finals weren’t enough to cover up the defensive flaws and the athleticism he lost (although he never relied upon it before) from his injury.
I like him a lot and I sure hope he can salvage a second act, but it feels like he’ll need to be in the perfect situation to be given that opportunity. Part of creating that perfect situation likely means taking less money and a smaller role.
After seeing Powell’s deal, Cousins is double that. Maybe even a little more.
If he’s healthy he can easily be the best or second best on almost every team. People forget how good this guy was before the industry. You have to watch his games to appreciate how complete his game is offensively and defensively. He’s bad on switches but can give you a block or two and has “busy” hands. I hope he’s taking his off-season conditioning serious.
They dont really have anyone else at the 3 spot behind Barnes, and they also need help on defense. Question I have is Bagley and Giles. I think they’re both 5s, so what do they do at the 4 beyond Bjelica? Giles may be able to play some at that spot, but Barnes may be their best answer there too. They need depth at that 3/4 spot. If anything, I’m not sure they need another piece at the 5 beyond depth b/c you’d think Bagley and Giles would get those minutes. Dedmond fits a bunch of teams. I think he’d take away too many minutes from those guys.
Bagley is a true 4 who can play 5 if they go small ball (similar to Aldridge). Same w/Giles. They need a PF/C and SF to complete the backups.
Are they though? Also, Aldridge hasnt been a 4 for a long time. In today’s game, they’re 5s, at least on offense. Defensively, Giles may be able to play 4 in stretches, but I need to see more there to say for sure
Alridge primarily plays 4, and it was a demand during his free agency that he not play the 5. I get my share of Spurs games since I reside in San Antonio.
I watch almost every game for every team. I’m not saying he doesnt play the 4. I’m saying he is primarily a 5. I think that’s where the communication issue is. There are a few guys like that. Al Horford, Anthony Davis…they’re 5s that dont want to play there, but the way the league is, that’s where they’re most effective and where teams will play them when they want to win
You’re absolutely correct. Last thing they need is another big man. They need athletic Wing guys as does any team aspiring to go far.
Everyone cannot go by what cousins put up this season. Everyone knows the first season back from a Achilles injury is almost like a throwaway what you need to go buy is the following season. We saw that with Kobe Bryant now DeMarcus Cousins. As a Lakers fan I would take a flyer on him like a one year deal and if he puts up the numbers he used to then go for the big contract.