DeMarcus Cousins Would Make the Celtics Contenders

Overpay, give up draft picks, do what it takes to get DeMarcus Cousins

The Boston Celtics are a lot better following their signing of Al Horford. He’s one of the best centers in the NBA, although his versatility is a value that not many people talk about. Over the past two seasons, Horford has only played the power forward position six percent of the time in 2015-16 and none in 2014-15. That’s due to the Atlanta Hawks also having All-Star big man Paul Millsap, not because he’s incapable of doing so.

Yes, Horford has played center for 86 percent of his career minutes, however, his ability to play the power forward position for long stretches opens up a lot of possibilities for the Celtics. With the report that Danny Ainge is still trying to bolster their front court before the season starts, the obvious Jahlil Okafor rumors have started circulating again. Although, so have the DeMarcus Cousins ones, as well. Ones that seemed completely dead at the trade deadline.

With both teams current rosters, the Celtics would once again be a perfect trading partner with the Sacramento Kings. The Kings lost Rajon Rondo in free agency, and are seemingly content with Darren Collison running the point next season. Collison isn’t the long-term answer, though, and Boston has an abundance of young point guards they could offer.

With Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart both being young and owning potential to turn into a franchise point guard, it would likely draw interest from the Kings. While it would give the Kings a chance at cementing their point guard spot, it would also give full control to one or the other on the Celtics’ roster as backup to Isaiah Thomas.

Along with a young guard, the Celtics would likely have to add both the 2017 pick swap rights with the Brooklyn Nets and the 2018 Nets pick to the deal. Obviously those are two assets that Danny Ainge has been reluctant to giving up in the past, but it’s hard to argue that it wouldn’t be worth it if it was the deciding factor in a deal centered around Cousins.

This gives the Kings two chances to land a star to replace Cousins. While the Celtics may opt to take their chances in the draft, rather than giving up two likely top-five picks, Boston also has to ask themselves whether they’ll find a player as good as Cousins. Yes, the 2017 class is loaded, but that’s still no guarantee that they’ll land the next DeMarcus Cousins, or anything close.

Cousins is one of the most skilled big men in the NBA. Last season, he contributed a ridiculous 26.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Not to mention he’s one of the best low-post scorers and has a developing jump shot.

Even if the Celtics land the top pick and select Harry Giles, it’s far from a sure thing that he’ll reach Cousins’ level of play. At only 25-years-old, and two years left on his contract, Cousins still has a lot of good years left in him.

Besides, you know the amazing production you’d get out of him and wouldn’t have to wait for a rookie to develop. Even though Horford is only 30-years-old, waiting for a rookie to develop into a star could be the difference between Horford being your star center and just another quality starter.

Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Celtics also needing to add Amir Johnson to make the contracts work. With only one-year left on his contract, and a declining role if they landed Cousins, it wouldn’t be as detrimental of a loss as one may think.

Therefore, Marcus Smart, Amir Johnson, the Brooklyn Nets 2017 and 2018 picks, and possibly more, would be the package the Celtics would have to put together to land Cousins.

It seems like a huge package for one player, and it is. Although, sometimes you have to overpay to get great talent. Cousins is a player who can take Boston to the next level. He’s arguably the most talented big man in the league, and his inside game is a perfect match next to Horford.

Compiling an abundance of assets is something Ainge prides himself on, and for good reason. Although, if he never makes a big move then they eventually lose their trade value and turn into a logjam of a roster.

While it does come with some risk, the positives outweigh those fears. It would arguably give the Celtics the best front court in the NBA, and Cousins is the type of player who can help Boston contend with the Cleveland Cavaliers. When considering he’s been as dominant as he’s been with the Kings, a dysfunctional franchise, he would easily have the same, and probably better, production under Brad Stevens.

The idea of Cousins being a coach-killer is out there, as well. With Stevens only going into his fourth-year, the last thing you want is to ruin a very good locker room and have an ego get in the way of what Stevens is trying to accomplish. However, like previously noted, the Kings have been a mess since they drafted Cousins, which makes me wonder how much he’s to blame.

While Cousins has been a handful, since the 2010-11 season – Cousins’ rookie year – the Kings have only finished over .400 once – last season when they finished .402 – and have gone through five head coaches, including three two seasons ago. It gets frustrating to lose as a young player, especially one who came in with supposed anger issues, but to have no consistency in the coaching staff makes it that much worse.

I think losing is hard on young players who come from winning programs, and takes a toll after a while. Although, finally being able to win and have a good, young coach with a stable front office would do wonders for Cousins. When it comes down to it, I think Cousins just wants to win, and the Kings haven’t put together a team that could do so.

Also, the veteran leadership of Horford would help, as well. Horford has been on winning teams and knows the ropes of the NBA. Even though Cousins isn’t a rookie, Horford as a mentor could help him stay focused and more of a professional.

It seems crazy that the Kings would even consider trading Cousins. However, instead of treating him like one of the best big men in the league, they disrespected him and drafted two more big men, after drafting Willie Cauley-Stein last year, in the first round. While maybe not the most appropriate move, Cousins took his frustration to Twitter with a simple tweet.

https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/746149291249410050

Maybe the Kings want to continue building around Cousins, but it’s hard to imagine they’re fully invested in him long-term. They probably don’t believe he’ll re-sign with them in two summers, however that’s why they should trade him now. He’s more valuable with two-years left on his contract, instead of one if they waited until next summer. Also, it opens up minutes for the young guys they just drafted over the past two drafts.

When it comes down to it, the Celtics can’t bank on finding a player as good as Cousins next summer or through the draft. Instead of trying to win every trade, Ainge needs to overpay for a superstar who could help the Celtics right now, and still give them a chance to re-sign him for the long-term.

In a star driven league, it’s sometimes better to acquire a star who can help put you over the top rather than holding out and trying to win the trade. Because as good as Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder and the rest of the supporting cast is, they’re not bringing the Celtics any closer to a championship, but Cousins would. Cousins and Horford, along with still a solid supporting cast, gives opposing teams match-up problems they can’t handle.

Next: Yabusele Should be Stashed Overseas Next Season

Overpay, give up both draft picks, do what it takes to get DeMarcus Cousins.