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Vlade Divac: DeMarcus Cousins is off-limits for Kings

By Brett David Roberts

Mar 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots under pressure from Philadelphia 76ers center Byron Mullens (30) during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Kings defeated the Sixers 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots under pressure from Philadelphia 76ers center Byron Mullens (30) during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Kings defeated the Sixers 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vlade Divac asserted that DeMarcus Cousins is not available, contrary to George Karl implying otherwise.

Sacramento Kings representative Vlade Divac stated while George Karl said no player is off-limits in trade negotiations, DeMarcus Cousins may as well be considered such. The reality smacks in the face of the speculated deal of sending Nikola Vucevic and this year’s lottery pick for Cousins.

Cousins is not a player without problems, but he has also won very few games in Sacramento. Coming to Orlando would not necessarily be a downgrade. Cousins could make the Magic true playoff contenders in the East, and he would be arguably the best center in the Eastern Conference.

Cousins could reverse Orlando’s fate by commanding double teams and providing a post presence. An inside/outside offense could begin in earnest with a guy capable of drawing double and triple teams.

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    • But this is all for naught if we are to believe Divac’s assertion. He said Cousins was the guy Sacramento wishes to build around, and they really should do so. He has developed into a formidable center and a talent that can anchor both a defense and an offense. His tutelage from Chris Webber has helped Cousins mature.

    No longer is he caught in the trap of picking up a frustration technical seemingly every other game. He has stopped being an off-court distraction.

    In short, he’s become the NBA center that many thought he may be when he was taken No. 5 overall, despite many GMs being aware he was the best talent in the 2011 draft class outside of No. 1 overall pick John Wall.

    The Kings have continued to flounder in the Western Conference, but a lot of that can be blamed on a weak rotation at the 1-2-3 spots.

    Jan 21, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) looks on during a timeout in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Sleep Train Arena. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Sacramento Kings 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
    Jan 21, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) looks on during a timeout in the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Sleep Train Arena. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Sacramento Kings 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

    Darren Collison re-emerged to be the point guard he was while in New Orleans during his rookie season — 2009 when he nearly averaged 20 points and 10 assists with Chris Paul out. However, he has never become the player many expected when he and Marcus Thornton made the Hornets a tough team with Chris Paul missing extended time due to injury.

    Collison is a good and steady point, but he is not off-limits any more than the rest of his Kings’ mates.

    Overall, Sacramento has enough talent that it does not have to run a fire sale.

    Poor coaching has been largely to blame for Sacramento’s struggles, as well as litany of draft picks that have turned out to be mediocre talents at best. The Kings second-best player is basically a rich man’s Tobias Harris, in Rudy Gay.

    Two teams tried desperately to shake Gay (Memphis and Toronto), before he settled in Sacramento, bringing his outstanding contract with him. If anyone is trade bait on the Kings, it is Gay. He is a scoring small forward with average (once better) defensive abilities.

    Sacramento basically took the trash of Toronto and cherished it like the fool’s gold it is. Gay is a scorer, but small forwards who can put up numbers do not really warrant a max-contract, as Gay lacks defense every bit as much as incumbent forward Tobias Harris.

    Sacramento is trying to keep its best pieces intact, but Karl is known for making questionable trades, which leaves the door open for obtaining Cousins. While Divac is clearly enamored with his talents, if the Magic made an offer that intrigued Karl and the rest of the Kings brass, the Magic could finally obtain the No. 1 option and franchise talent it still lacks.

    Thus, we take Divac’s comments with a few grains of salt, well aware that it is Karl who dictates the team’s future, not the “Godfather of the flop.”

    Next: Magic considering trading pick?