It's that time of the year in the NBA. The recent All-Star weekend in New Orleans has provided us with the usual excitement that comes with seeing the best basketball players on the planet all on one court. However, the excitement does not stop there. The NBA trade deadline is looming. This means that you hear different names and different teams in different deals; for the basketball fans of the world, this is a blessing and an opportunity to fantasize a little bit. One recent trade has definitively taken the basketball world by surprise. I am talking about the Demarcus Cousins trade.
Demarcus Cousins Traded For 'Nothing' In Exchange
DeMarcus Cousins has been traded from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and 2017 first and second round picks. We know that the Kings have been a chaotic organization in the past few years. However, after this deal I am lost for adjectives to try to describe the Kings. I am not quite sure what ownership was thinking when they accepted this deal yesterday. Buddy Heild shows promise, but nothing more than that right now, and there is little left of the promise Tyreke Evans showed in his first year. Galloway will probably be waived soon. In addition, The Kings will not end up with a quality draft pick in exchange, for the Pelicans will surely improve and rise in the standings.
Demarcus Cousins And The New NBA Landscape
Just when we thought that we had recently seen everything in the NBA thanks to Kevin Durant's departure, we are surprised yet again. However, in this case, I'm not sure anyone but Pelicans' fans can he happy with this surprise. The Western Conference is already loaded with super teams; so, this move only improves and solidifies yet another team in this conference.
Just when we thought Eastern Conference teams like the Raptors, Celtics, or Wizards could step out of Cleveland's shadow by acquiring a significant piece like Demarcus Cousins it was yet again another Western Conference team that made things happen. I also cannot understand why the Kings would purposefully help their competition.
The two teams are currently fighting for the 8th spot in their conference. I do not understand the hurry of the team, especially taking into consideration that another year remains in his contract. They could have continued fighting for a playoff spot this year and taken their time to find a proper deal in the summer. The more I think about the deal the less sense it makes.
On a another note, I am not sure the duo formed by Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins will be a success story. I do not see it working well in the long term, that is if Cousins decides to extend his contract with his new team. Anthony Davis is already a superstar. It is his team and he will need to get the most touches in the post.
I am sure he will not be satisfied with becoming a mere threat from the long-range while Cousins does his thing in the low post. If we add this probable situation to 'Boogie's' uncontrollable temperament then things can become even trickier. 'The brow' has a laidback personality, so I am not sure how much 'Boogie' noise he will be able to cope with. What's certain is that the NBA will always be fun. The trade deadline on the 23rd is yet to arrive. Hopefully we can witness more surprises. However, dear NBA teams ... please try to bargain next time.
