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Rumor Alert: DeMarcus Cousins For Jordan Clarkson. Insane Or Smart?

By Rafe Wong

Oct 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after being called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after being called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Once again the rumor mill has surrounded around DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings.

A recent article from the Youth Health Magazine indicated that there is a rumor that the Sacramento Kings are looking to trade star center DeMarcus Cousins, and in return could possibly attain Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson.

Even though his team is struggling record-wise, Cousins is having himself an All-Star year. Averaging 25.1 points and 10.9 rebounds a game, Cousins has been the focal point for the Kings on both ends of the court this season, and for the last few seasons has proven to have the potential and ability to be a core piece in a successful franchise.

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For Jordan Clarkson, similar to Cousins situation, he is a young player that is displaying great results for a struggling team. Obviously, his progress is not even close to Cousins, but Clarkson has shown promise, especially this season (only his second) averaging 15 points a game with a PER of 14.80.

Although both players have played well in their roles for their teams, if these players were to be swapped in a trade it would be a huge disaster for the Kings.

No disrespect to Clarkson but the talent and production compared to Cousins is no match. Cousins, who is only just 25 years of age, has proven already to be an All-Star caliber player and is only going to get better as he is entering his prime.

Clarkson, on the other hand, is showing progress, but needs a larger sample size to prove his worth as a primary asset. If the Kings were to deal Cousins, they better be sure to receive concrete assets in return.

Dec 21, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) looks at Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) looks at Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Also, why would the Kings even trade Cousins to the Lakers for so little? The Lakers, long-time rival of the Kings, are currently in full rebuilding mode and it will take a long time before the franchise becomes relevant again if they contiunue with the direction they’re taking.

If the Kings were to give the Lakers Boogie at a discounted price it would definitely be a huge shortcut for the Lakers to returning back to being competitve.

If the Kings were to send Cousins to LA, the Lakers would have to give up a bevy of assets to, in my opinion, have the Kings front office even interested. Example trade would be Clarkson, plus D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and a next year 1st round draft pick for Cousins alone.

Bottom line, if this trade were to be accepted by Sacramento it would the most boneheaded move in the franchise’s history. Trading Cousins just for Clarkson sounds insane, and how this is even a rumor is extremely asinine.

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The Kings front office have expressed their feelings strongly that Cousins is not for sale, and for at least this season, that is how it should remain.

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