Woj Bomb: DeMarcus Cousins traded to Pelicans

[Big333223]

It's pretty clear what's going on. Fans think the Kings were fleeced, but team executives think they made the right move. Which side has the greater insight to Cousins' temperament?

This is from Kings play-by-play man Grant Napear, who like Gormam with us, is privy to a lot of behind the scenes information:

Trading DMC was an absolute no brainer! There has been a dark cloud over this franchise for years! That cloud is now gone!

The Kings were never going to win with Cousins. NEVER! This was a no brainer! I wish him well! I really do but it was time!

And here's maybe the most important thing. Most of Cousin's teammates the past 7 years hated playing with him! That is a fact!

I like the insight from Naper. He's close to the team and has all the reason in the world to root for them but also doesn't have to save face for the franchise the way an executive would have to put pretend everything was roses, regardless of how bad the deal.

It doesn't make him right, but it means something that this guy who loves the team and watches every single game is glad Cousins is gone.

Cedric Maxwell thinks Dirk was better than Larry.  The analysis of announcers is about as relevant as the analysis of talk radio hosts.

Just because Maxwell has one silly opinion isn't a reason to discount the opinion of a totally different person who happens to do a similar job.

And as I said, his proximity to/position with the Kings doesn't make him right, but it does give him a perspective worth paying attention to. His acting like the franchise just exercised a demon is relevant.

EDIT to add this:

If Mike Gorman said Jaylen Brown wasn't going to be a very good player, eh, major grain of salt. If he said teammates can't stand him, that's something to be genuinely concerned with because he's around those people almost every day.

[Kuberski33]

I love the deal from NO's perspective.  NO vs Golden State in Round 1 could be a real interesting series to watch just for the match up of styles.  But I'm also fine with the Celtics passing.  They are too far along to wreck what they've done to date by bringing in a guy who could potentially destroy their chemistry. In the Pel's case they need to surround Davis with some talent sooner vs later.

Not everyone can deal emotionally with playing in Boston.  And Cousins has given no indication that he could hold up.  And his act of not showing up every night would not play well here  with many.  That's the one thing about Boston - if the fans and media sense you're dogging it - it can be a very unpleasant place to play.

[RJ87]

The day after and man... Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, and Jrue Holiday is a heck of a core. All under 26 and should complement each other on the court. On a pure talent level, AD and Boogie are reminiscent of Duncan and Robinson. Jrue has the playmaking and shooting ability to fit VERY well next to them.

If NO can add some solid 3 and D wings, that could be a high caliber team for a long time.

[TA9]

This tweet by the New Orleans Pelicans twitter account says it all:
https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA/status/833556203179483137

Kings got robbed.

Kings did not... Its the best they could get for a problem child
Plus they likely get to keep their own 2017 draft pick (top 10)

They are happy

You know how bad it got in Sac?? Not even draft prospects wanted to workout for the team

I don't agree. IMO you can't put all the blame on Cousins and think that everything is going to be alright now that he is traded to another team. The Kings is a badly run organization hence nobody wants to be a part of their team.

Here are three examples of how bad the organization is:
(1) The Kings decided to let Isaiah Thomas go because they didn't want to pay him.
(2) They decided to draft Jimmer Fredette instead of picking Klay Thompson or Kawhi Leonard.
(3) They have wasted picks by drafting players like Thomas Robinson, Nik Stauskas and Papagiannis.

We can agree on the fact that Cousins has issues, but the Kings' issues go way beyond those of Cousins'. 

In addition, I just read that the Kings averaged around 25 wins per season in three years before drafting Cousins. Telling me that they are going to be better now that he is gone from the team is laughable.

Finally, I just don't buy into the premise that they couldn't get a better package for Cousins. Reportedly the owner Vivek Ranadive was crazy about Buddy Hield, who was picked 2 spots before the Kings' pick. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one forcing the trade because he wanted Buddy.

[Roy H.]

This tweet by the New Orleans Pelicans twitter account says it all:
https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA/status/833556203179483137

Kings got robbed.

Kings did not... Its the best they could get for a problem child
Plus they likely get to keep their own 2017 draft pick (top 10)

They are happy

You know how bad it got in Sac?? Not even draft prospects wanted to workout for the team

I don't agree. IMO you can't put all the blame on Cousins and think that everything is going to be alright now that he is traded to another team. The Kings is a badly run organization hence nobody wants to be a part of their team.

Here are three examples of how bad the organization is:
(1) The Kings decided to let Isaiah Thomas go because they didn't want to pay him.
(2) They decided to draft Jimmer Fredette instead of picking Klay Thompson or Kawhi Leonard.
(3) They have wasted picks by drafting players like Thomas Robinson, Nik Stauskas and Papagiannis.

We can agree on the fact that Cousins has issues, but the Kings' issues go way beyond those of Cousins'. 

In addition, I just read that the Kings averaged around 25 wins per season in three years before drafting Cousins. Telling me that they are going to be better now that he is gone from the team is laughable.

Finally, I just don't buy into the premise that they couldn't get a better package for Cousins. Reportedly the owner Vivek Ranadive was crazy about Buddy Hield, who was picked 2 spots before the Kings' pick. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one forcing the trade because he wanted Buddy.

You forgot "trading away 2017 swapvrights and a 2019 unprotected #1 to clear cap space for Rondo and Bellinelli".

[TA9]

This tweet by the New Orleans Pelicans twitter account says it all:
https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA/status/833556203179483137

Kings got robbed.

Kings did not... Its the best they could get for a problem child
Plus they likely get to keep their own 2017 draft pick (top 10)

They are happy

You know how bad it got in Sac?? Not even draft prospects wanted to workout for the team

I don't agree. IMO you can't put all the blame on Cousins and think that everything is going to be alright now that he is traded to another team. The Kings is a badly run organization hence nobody wants to be a part of their team.

Here are three examples of how bad the organization is:
(1) The Kings decided to let Isaiah Thomas go because they didn't want to pay him.
(2) They decided to draft Jimmer Fredette instead of picking Klay Thompson or Kawhi Leonard.
(3) They have wasted picks by drafting players like Thomas Robinson, Nik Stauskas and Papagiannis.

We can agree on the fact that Cousins has issues, but the Kings' issues go way beyond those of Cousins'. 

In addition, I just read that the Kings averaged around 25 wins per season in three years before drafting Cousins. Telling me that they are going to be better now that he is gone from the team is laughable.

Finally, I just don't buy into the premise that they couldn't get a better package for Cousins. Reportedly the owner Vivek Ranadive was crazy about Buddy Hield, who was picked 2 spots before the Kings' pick. I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one forcing the trade because he wanted Buddy.

You forgot "trading away 2017 swapvrights and a 2019 unprotected #1 to clear cap space for Rondo and Bellinelli".

Haha the list just goes on and on!

[wayupnorth]

There is an incredible amount of whining going on right now.

Danny made the right call.

[wdleehi]

There is an incredible amount of whining going on right now.

Danny made the right call.

We hope. 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

One NBA GM to ESPN on the Boogie Cousins trade: "It was bad deal. Now New Orleans will pay him close to 200 million. Sacramento just did not want to pay him. Only Vivek wanted him. New Orleans was desperate -- and Sacramento is free!"

Jeff Goodman, ESPN Insider

Lol.

It's pretty clear what's going on. Fans think the Kings were fleeced, but team executives think they made the right move. Which side has the greater insight to Cousins' temperament?

This is from Kings play-by-play man Grant Napear, who like Gorman with us, is privy to a lot of behind the scenes information:

Trading DMC was an absolute no brainer! There has been a dark cloud over this franchise for years! That cloud is now gone!

The Kings were never going to win with Cousins. NEVER! This was a no brainer! I wish him well! I really do but it was time!

And here's maybe the most important thing. Most of Cousin's teammates the past 7 years hated playing with him! That is a fact!

Anyone who thinks the "dark cloud over Sacto" is gone is quite mistaken. They still have a foolish owner, an incompetent GM, a bad culture, and hardly any talent. I hope the fans enjoy the new arena, because that's the only thing they're going to be able to enjoy anytime soon.

[PAOBoston]

Before trade, DeMarcus Cousins agent said client unlikely to re-sign with new team
http://nba.nbcsports.com/2017/02/20/before-trade-demarcus-cousins-agent-said-client-unlikely-to-re-sign-with-new-team/

From the Vlade Divac presser:

"Winning begins with culture and character matters."

[bdm860]

Vlade press conference is airing live now over on http://www.csnbayarea.com/

[fairweatherfan]

LOL Divac said they had a better offer for Cousins 2 days ago.

I'm starting to feel like the poetic outcome would've been for Kings management and Cousins to be stuck together forever, in a "hell is other people" kinda way.

[hpantazo]

LOL Divac said they had a better offer for Cousins 2 days ago.

I'm starting to feel like the poetic outcome would've been for Kings management and Cousins to be stuck together forever, in a "hell is other people" kinda way.

Well, the Lakers offer was likely better, Divac just wanted to stick it to them, and I'm glad he did.

[Tr1boy]

Interview with exiting Cousins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edjwFvTljA4

you almost want to believe that he has turned the corner...  but If I was a betting man,  I would say he racks up his 17th technical in his 1st game as a Pelican

IF he goes "sober" and doesn't rack up anymore techs, that will be a big step for him

[cman88]

Cousins has shown to give iffy effort at times and has been a locker-room cancer. yes, the talent is there...and maybe he will turn it around for a little while in a honey-moon period.

but chances are he reverts to being a locker-room problem sooner rather than later.