DeMarcus Cousins: How Lakers Trade Would Impact NBA Draft

Disgruntled Sacremento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins may be on the move. And with rumors of a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers possibly in the works, the Cousins trade could impact tonight’s NBA Draft in a big way.

As reported by Inquistr, the Lakers and Kings were reportedly talking about a potential swap of DeMarcus to the Lakers in a deal that would somehow include the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft. Now, Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the framework for the deal could already be in place.

According to author Adrian Wojnarowski, The Kings are hoping to deal Cousins to the Lakers for Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and the Lakers’ No. 2 pick. However, the Lakers are not as inclined to include both Randle and Clarkson, who had a promising rookie season. Sacramento is also looking to shed Carl Landry’s bloated contract in the deal.

The DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors come on the heels of a report by Fox 40 in Sacramento that both Kings owner and chairman Vivek Ranadive and VP Vlade Divac have expressly denied seeking a deal.

“We love Cousins, and we are not going to trade him,” Ranadive told the station.

Vlade Divac — who notably played for both the Kings and Lakers during his 12-year playing career — also backed up Ranadive’s statement. He also denied any trade rumors originating from within the Kings organization.

“What I have to do is to improve the team. Demarcus is … and I said it 20 times … He is going to be a part of it. DeMarcus is in Mexico and on vacation. It’s a good place for him to stay away from this ‘turmoil’ created by … somebody. It’s not from us.”

The NY Post is also reporting that coach George Karl — whom many believe is the voice begging to trade Cousins in the first place — is also on board with Vlade Divac and Vivek Ranadive, though his statements were less than firm.

“It’s just a lot of crazy, crazy fibs and lies. It’s just a situation where we won 29 games last year. For us as a basketball organization we want to get better. [Cousins] is our best player we know that, we want him committed and dedicated to being in Sacramento and playing and leading us to the first playoffs in Sacramento in [10] years.”

If Cousins were to be dealt, it could radically alter the NBA Draft landscape. Projected to go No. 1 at the moment is Karl Anthony Towns to Minnesota, and that will likely remain unaffected. But if Sacramento gets their hands on the No. 2 pick, then all bets are off. While Jaleel Okafor was projected to go No. 2 to the Lakers, the Kings may opt for DeAngelo Russell, leaving teams to decide between Kristaps Porzingis and Okafor, or even opting for China’s Emmanuel Mudiay.

The NBA Draft begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. EST.