The Sacramento Kings may have just made the worst trade in NBA history. Sacramento traded Damarcus Cousins, who is a top five player in the NBA, and the best big man in the leuage to the Pelicans. I think this is the worst trade because of what the Kings got in return, they received rookie Buddy Hield, bench player Langston Galloway, injury prone Tyreke Evans, and two protected draft picks, protected means they may not even get to keep those picks. The Pelicans by the way already have 23 year old super star Anthony Davis, who just broke the record for most points scored in an All Star game with his 52 points. Anthony Davis is considered a big man because he is 6'10" but has said numerous times he would rather play forward than center. Davis got his wish and then some when his team landed Cousins. As I stated earlier Cousins is a big man as well standing at 6'11", but he is bigger than Davis, in fact he outweighs Davis by a near 20 lbs. So the New Orleans Pelicans have the best power forward in the game and now, the best center in the game on the same team. Some may argue that having two bigs will not work, because they'll get in the way of each other. Let me make this clear they are not your average bigs who can only score next to the basket. These guys are such talents they can score from anywhere and do it all. Damarcus Cousins can shoot the three, handle the ball, shoot midrange, post up smaller defenders, or just go right by his defender. While Davis is the same type of player, Davis can score from anywhere so these guys will not be in each other's way, they'll just appear in opposing coaches nightmares. I say this because usually Cousins and Davis get doubled team, but now they are on the same team so you can't double team them but you also can't leave one guy on them, good luck NBA coaches. There is an argument that the Pelicans now have two top five players on the same team. As of now the Pelicans are out of the playoffs, but that will quickly change and no team in their right mind wants to face New Orleans, with the two best bigs in the NBA who can score from anywhere at anytime. The overwhelming favorite Golden State may draw the Pelicans in the first round. The only knock against the loaded Warriors is that they don't have any size, they don't have a big man. Well Cousins and Davis can really beat the Warriors up inside and Golden State has nobody to guard both these guys, in fact nobody does the NBA just got a whole lot more interesting. The top dogs out West have to be Golden State, San Antonio, and now New Orleans. While in the East it is Cleveland, Boston, and Toronto. The bottom line of what this trade means is, the New Orleans Pelicans have the two very best big men in the NBA on the same team and nobody wants to face them in the playoffs.
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The Lakers are in rebuild mode, there is no secret about that. The Lakers may be lucky to reach thirty wins this season, and finish with a 30-52 record. This is because LA for the first time in twenty years does not have a star player, this team is a collection of young players and role guys. With that being said LA needs to prepare for next season by developing these young guys with more minutes and look to add assets for the future. The Lakers do have some assets that may be extremely appealing to other teams who are contending for the playoffs, and are looking to add depth and scoring. Many could argue that LA's best players this year are veterans Nick Young and Lou Williams. So to some this may be a surprise, but the Lakers need to trade Nick Young and Lou Williams ASAP. Here is why, these guys are 30 and 31 years old and although they clearly have game left in them, they are absolutely no help to the rebuilding Lakers. As I mentioned earlier the Lakers are full of young and promising talent such as: Dangelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance, Ivica Zubac, and Brandon Ingram. Trading these two veterans would open up more minutes for these young guys, and force one or more of them to step up and take the team over. I noticed when the Lakers need a bucket, they go to Young or Williams. So the trade may be tough at first, but the Lakers have to find out if these young guys are going to be pieces they want moving forward. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak needs to make a deal before the Feb 23 deadline. I believe that Nick Young is at least worth a 1st or 2nd round pick, while Lou is definitely worth a 1st round pick. We will see what the Lakers are thinking in the near future. |
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