re: Pelicans trade for Demarcus Cousins! (And Omri Casspi)

@JustinVerrier
FWIW, @chadfordinsider reported ahead of the 2016 draft that Kings GM Vlade Divac "loves" Buddy Hield. Pels took him two spots before Kings.

Not much new info, but a bit more in depth article from the Vertical

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In recent weeks, Ranadive has become more open to the front office’s willingness to trade Cousins, passing on the commitment of a five-year, $209 million designated maximum contract extension this summer, league sources said. Cousins’ uneven behavior in recent weeks has softened Ranadive’s resolve to hold on to Cousins. Two incidents in particular – an expletive-laced remark Cousins made about Golden State after Sacramento’s overtime win over the Warriors on Feb. 6 and the astonishing 17th technical foul this season, and resulting one-game suspension, against New Orleans on Feb. 12 – have caused Ranadive to have serious concerns about tethering the franchise to Cousins long term. As a result, Ranadive has started to adopt management’s concerns about Cousins’ temperament to become a franchise pillar, sources said. Nevertheless, Ranadive has gone back and forth in recent days about his willingness to ultimately unload Cousins, sources said.

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LINK

Also, if they aren't going to give Cousins the DPE, then there's no reason to think Cousins won't leave after next year. So they are getting to the point of getting the best offer for their disgruntled star or watch him leave for nothing.

but Cousins might be only willing to go to certain teams (or he won't resign with the other team)

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Personally if I'm Sac I trade him for the best deal I can get. I wouldn't bother holding on.

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Is he someone the Pels should tether themselves to? Are we just desperate enough to try?

Realgm just tweeted this link to their article. Saying there's a 50/50 chance this happens. LINK

Technically, everything has a 50/50 chance. Everything either will or won't happen

Yeah exactly. Way to go out on a limb.

It could happen. Or not.

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Technically, everything has a 50/50 chance.

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No

Please God let this happen. A player like Cousins keeps us in the playoffs as a six seed at minimum.

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I feel like the fact that this info got leaked means this has no chance of happening

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I'd say it got leaked because the Kings want a better offer, not because it's dead. If they aren't going to give Cousins the DPE then he's probably leaving after next year.