DeMarcus Cousins has been deemed a headcase since before his first game as a Kentucky Wildcat. He was "difficult". Under John Calipari, he averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per game on 56% shooting in less than 24 minutes per game. He was the most dominant collegiate big man the nation has seen since, arguably, Shaquille O'Neal. But because he sparred with Calipari and came with a questionable level of maturity, he fell to the fifth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft behind at least three players who are less talented than he, including Evan Turner. Million dollar arm, ten cent head.
The Sacramento Kings gambled on him because, well, they haven't been good since Rick Adelman left five years prior and the roster was lacking in talent. As expected, he had a mixed bag of a rookie campaign. The talent was there but the shot selection was questionable and his head only occasionally stopped by. Now, only a few games into the Lockout-shortened season, he has either demanded a trade or not demanded a trade depending on who you ask. It seems like, despite reports that they won't, the Kings are going to have to bite the bullet and trade him, probably for less of a return than they deserve.
The Sixers will not be one of the teams putting their hat in the DMC ring, because of a host of reasons you already know (Collins and chemistry being the main ones) but I'm of the opinion that they should. Here's why.
DeMarcus Cousins is, simply, one of the best big man prospects in the NBA today. His ceiling is far higher than that of Derrick Favors, Ed Davis, Greg Monroe, and Roy Hibbert. If he puts it all together, this is a guy that could carry a team to a championship. His combination of agility and strength inside is unmatched, but when you factor in an increasingly reliable mid-range jump shot, this is a franchise player.
Despite the current starting center and former Sacramento King himself, Spencer Hawes, playing like a complete animal thus far, he's not a long-term option at the 5 for this team. With Elton Brand on his way out soon (and playing like a fourth option) and Nikola Vucevic better suited for bench play, the front court is thin for the Sixers. Bringing in a legitimate scoring threat from the 5-spot - something Philadelphia hasn't had since....um.... George McGinnis? - would do wonders for vaulting this team into legitimacy in the next year or two.
Yes, it would be a risk. Yes, this is an exercise in futility because the Sixers will not go after him. What I've always preached is that you can't compete for a championship without either having a top 5 player fall into your lap or going out on a limb and taking a risk. The Celtics took a risk bringing in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen when they traded a ton of young talent in what was seen as a win-now move. Four years later, they're still contending. It's a different circumstance, but it's one way how a team takes a huge risk (the Heat threesome was less risky since they're all so young) and it's paid off for them.
Cousins may never figure it out. His head may be too far up his ass that in five years, he hasn't Zach Randolph'd or Gerald Wallace'd and he's whining somewhere in the Far East. Nobody can know that now. But the team that does take a chance on him could be rewarded with one of the best centers of the generation. And that's a risk I wish the Sixers would take.
0 recs | 83 comments
Who would the Sixers trade?
If the Kings did look to trade Cousins, who on the Sixers would they be interested in? The Kings have a ton of cap space (over $26 mil) so they can take on salary if they choose. What about trading Speights and Iguodala for Cousins? Would either team have any interest in that?
Obviously as Mike stated the Sixers would never bring in Cousins, but until this situation is resolved it nice to dream about these things
ark88 - January 3, 2012
seriously?
Iguodala…for Cousins? That’s just insane. Absolutely insane. If the Sixers made that trade people ought to give up forever. Cousins is an absolutely unproven player. The Sixers would be better off sending the Nocioni’s contract, Speights, and Brackins/Meeks.
Dan Pearson - January 3, 2012
You should e-mail this to the owners. See if you get a response.
Ben16 - January 3, 2012
I agree 100%
Somehow someway this team is going to need to find a franchise big and their options are limited. Cousins’ potential is enough that if they can get him while his value is low and he develops it would be a game changing move for the franchise.
Dpez71 - January 3, 2012
Actually agree with this
Levin is right this time. The risk is minimal (effectively 2 years, 7.4 mil) and the reward is potentially great. Cousins has tremendous upside, good size, and is a nice backup PF option.
I don’t think this kid would break the chemistry at all. We could find some minutes for him to spell Brand while still putting in Vucevic. If it doesn’t work out, no big deal.
You’re telling me this kid can’t take the place of Speights? Why not?
PhillyWarrior - January 3, 2012
how can you say the risk is minimal when Levin didn’t even propose who the Sixers would be giving up. How can you even assess risk without that information?
Derek Bodner - January 3, 2012
At least contractually it’s a minimal risk. In terms of team implosion and who they’d send, that’s something different.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
Right. My point is there’s more risk than just contractual, and part of that risk wasn’t mentioned in the article, so it’s impossible to truly gauge.
Derek Bodner - January 3, 2012
Thas my only problem with assessing a trade for Cousins
flyrman57 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
And you base that on what? All anyone ever says is that the guy is a massive headcase. Sorry but that’s not something I want when trying to build a team around guys like Jrue and possibly E.T.
EREX21 - January 4, 2012
The Pied Piper - January 3, 2012
I’m for it, I don’t know if I would give up Dre, Jrue, Thad, Turner, or Lou for him though. Since the Kings are one of the teams that need to get there payroll up due to the new CBA I would offer Brand, someone else & a protected draft pick
KJ Brophy - January 3, 2012
You wouldn’t give up Lou for Cousins?
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
WHY YOU HATE LOU. >.<
xEgan - January 3, 2012
If they absolutely demanded him then yes I would give him up. I know you don’t like Lou & he isn’t my favorite 76er but I think it was Cooney that said it while our offense wasn’t working in the game in Portland that one of the big advantages we have with the subs is when the offense isn’t working they can just go street ball on the other team if we lose Lou we lose a lot of that
KJ Brophy - January 3, 2012
33% last season on 3.3 attempts/game. 17% this season on 3.0 attempts/game. That’s an increasingly reliable mid-range jump shot? On what planet?
Forget about the headcase stuff for a second, Cousins would have to make a miraculous turnaround to reach the level of terribly below average, last season he was probably the worst player in the league in terms of performance, and he’s off to an even worse start this year. He’s big, that’s pretty much all he’s got going for him. Thabeet would be a better risk.
depressedfan - January 3, 2012
It’s the shot selection that’s a problem. When he takes the right shots, he’s more effective.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
How are you defining “the right shots?” Do you only count the ones he makes?
depressedfan - January 3, 2012
No definition, very subjective. When he’s playing within himself, he’s a very good player right now. A majority of the time he’s not, but that obviously comes from being a young, stupid player on a young, stupid, bad team.
Bringing in Cousins (again, would never happen – this is as hypothetical as it gets) is not for the player he is, it would be for the player he can be.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
And I simply don’t agree with most of your second paragraph.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
are you denying the ridiculous upside of Hasheem Thabeet?
jefu - January 3, 2012
No, actually. My love for Thabeet’s oozing potential is quite high.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
haha, forgive me. I couldn’t resist.
jefu - January 3, 2012
I think they have medication for that now. And if they do, Thabeet should take lots of it.
dweebowitz - January 4, 2012
It’s 37% not 33%, big difference. That’s the same % from 16-23 feet as Antawn Jamison, Carlos Boozer, Lamar Odom and Zach Randolph, and better % than Kevin Love – all of which are considered to be pretty good shooting big men. And he’s played four games this season. Sample size.
He’s been inefficient but these are both hyperbole:
and this:and this:
There’s no reason not to take a shot on Cousins as long as the asking price isn’t absurd. He’s cheap, young and full of talent. The upside of Holiday-Turner-Cousins is ridiculous.
Jordan Sams - January 3, 2012
There’s no hyperbole there, at all. Cousins wasted more possessions than anyone else in the NBA last season, and it wasn’t even close. 1,004 FGA with a .484 TS% plus 268 turnovers. His offense alone cost the team somewhere in the neighborhood of 230 points last season vs. the average player (give a player w/ an average TS% and TO Rate all of his possessions), and that doesn’t take into account his shoddy defense, nor his 332 personal fouls. Cousins wasn’t only the most destructive player in the league last season, I think you’d be hard pressed to find another player in the past decade who was allowed to do that much damage to his own team without being benched, traded, cut or sent to the D-League. The closest thing I can find to this level of ineptitude is Antoine Walker’s 2004-2005 season.
And you’re right, it was 37%, which is the same as Andre Iguodala last season. Would you consider his mid-range game reliable?
depressedfan - January 3, 2012
I wouldn’t want him unless I were the Celtics. I just don’t want a whiny, ineffective, baby who complains about his usage rate. I would take a chance on him if he showed any signs of improvement- weight loss, taking less bad shots, etc. A guy like him could drive away a guy like Holiday.
The Pied Piper - January 3, 2012
I would argue it’s been decreasing in reliability since he was in high school.
Derek Bodner - January 3, 2012
I couldn’t disagree more. Even at the low low price of Speights and Brackins, I still wouldn’t do it. Cousins is a certified headcase. He has all the tools, but no ability to put them together. If he actually made the Kings better at any point, I’d consider it, but he hasn’t. Maybe after his rookie contract. But not now.
duckyninja - January 3, 2012
What do Speights and Brackins do for us? The point of getting him now is so that he’s still on his rookie contract, afterwards he’s potentially more expensive. There are plenty of players who showed ‘no ability to put them together’ after their rookie season, but eventually put it together. If he hasn’t gotten himself together by the end of his contract we let him go – so the risk is small. Get it?
J.P.Melle - January 3, 2012
They’re expiring contracts that don’t disrupt team chemistry. If I were to trade for Cousins I would put him in the D-league
The Pied Piper - January 3, 2012
It depends on the price
I wouldn’t trade Iguodala for him because I think that his attitude is too big of a risk to give up so much. I actually met him though at LAX when I flew to LA last year when the all star game was there. Didn’t say much but I took a picture with him.
flyrman57 - January 3, 2012 via mobile
First, see what it takes to get him, and decide from there. Let other teams make offers so you get an idea of what you have to put up. Just structure the contract so that if he doesn’t do certain things, the team can cut him. Maybe he is crazy, but he likes playing and has real ability. Maybe Doug is the ideal coach for a player like Cousins, someone he can trust to make him the best player he can be.
I absolutely agree, the Sixers have to go after him. I’d give up Brand, Speights, Meeks, Nocioni, Brakins, Hawes or Turner, possibly even Thad Young. I’d even give up 2 for one. The chance to get a big is too important.
RickoT - January 3, 2012
A lot of upside.
jrb5094 - January 3, 2012
Talented but headcase isn’t my type of player anymore. I’ve seen it fail way too many times.
That said, I’d absolutely take a shot on Cousins if the asking price wasn’t too high. As long as Jrue and/or Turner weren’t involved I’d be all for it. I think Iguodala is my favorite and most realistic option. Although I don’t see why the Kings would do that.
Jordan Sams - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Definitely. I’m certainly not championing Cousins, as he hasn’t produced at this level yet. But if we can all mostly agree that Turner is better than the statistics thus far, so is Cousins. And DeMarcus is the more physically talented player.
There are a ton of reasons why he won’t turn it around, but if he can be had for any non-Jrue/Evan players, it’s worth it to take the risk.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
It’s the whole head-case thing that Turner doesn’t have that is keeping me more optimistic. The fact that he was willing to work on his game and humble himself over the summer with his jump-shooting technique that impressed me. It’s this type of attitude that makes me believe Turner has a better chance to reach his potential. It would take a coach with an a keen ability to use psychology (hello, Phil Jackson) in order to turn Cousins around. Not interested. Pass.
jefu - January 3, 2012
Iggy for Cousins?
You would trade Iguodala, a top 30 NBA players, top perimeter defender, solid teammate…for an unproven player who will likely amount to nothing? That’s just waste right there. If you are hellbent on trading Iguodala (because he’s “blocking” a player who will likely never be better than him) then you better be getting better value than that.
Dan Pearson - January 3, 2012
I wouldnt even give them Iggy for him as he is playing so well right now we could get much better value than cousins and also Iggy is the sixers version of Andy Reid his national reputation seems to be much more appreciated than his local reputation! proof being D Howard naming Iggy as 1 of the few players on his wish list he’d like the magic to pursue for some odd reason!
$crooge McBuck$ - January 3, 2012
Iguodala? I would rather trade him for Rodrigues Beaubois or Epke Udoh.
The Pied Piper - January 3, 2012
EB, Hawes, Nikola, and Thad taking all the minutes at the 4 and 5? That would be a pimple on this team this year.
secondroundpick - January 3, 2012
This conversation is just dumb. Anybody who would trade Iguodala for Cousins should stop writing for a basketball blog. Period. Iguodala is a top 30 player in the NBA. Cousins is a headcase who has done absolutely nothing in the NBA and doesn’t show any signs of becoming anything more than Mo Speights, who also has “elite” potential but doesn’t have the head for it. Yeah, Cousins is a better athlete, but Speights already has a much better offensive game, and Cousins isn’t showing any signs of improvement whatsoever. You think we can go out and get Danny Granger for Mo Speights? No, because that would be fucking ridiculous. Take a step back, use your brain, and step off the loony ledge.
duckyninja - January 3, 2012
rec'd
The Pied Piper - January 3, 2012
No one is arguing that Cousins is better than Iguodala currently. Or at least they shouldn’t be. You have to look further when making trades than just “Player X is better than Player Y, not trading him, kiss my ass.” There’s more to it than that.
I would consider (CONSIDER) what would essentially be an Iguodala-Cousins swap because A) I don’t believe the Sixers are going anywhere with this roster. B) Cousins costs significantly less, and C) Cousins plays a position of need, while Iguodala has Evan Turner behind him. The only thing keeping me from saying pull the trigger is the fact that Cousins is an imbecile. And I’d still probably do it.
That being said, I’m going to continue to write for this blog if that’s okay with you.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
Please do continue
Ben16 - January 3, 2012
I look at more. I see Cousins as a headcase who couldn’t get through 5 games of his second season with his team, plays no defense, is horribly out of shape, has no game behind the rim, and shows no signs of improving his attitude or his game. The chances of him becoming anything more than a good bench player is slim to none. Why would anybody want to trade for a player like that? Especially a team coached by Doug Collins who would never ever ever ever ever play him. Ever.
There’s lots of players that cost less than Iguodala that may actually be good or useful. Cousins actually plays a position that we couldn’t need less. If there’s an injury to one of our big men, Vucevic is there to step in. If there’s an injury to one of our guards/SF, we have absolutely no depth. Brackins is about it.
I get it, he has superduper upside. But you can’t be blinded by a player’s upside. His chances of reaching it are extremely slim. You don’t trade a meal ticket for a lottery ticket. You’ll just end up hungry.
duckyninja - January 3, 2012
Is it just one meal ticket? I could miss one meal.
Ben16 - January 3, 2012
“Cousins actually plays a position that we couldn’t need less.” Wha…? Your second paragraph is the exact opposite of true.
J.P.Melle - January 3, 2012
Turner will never be a better player than iguodala. He’s iguodala minus athleticism. He doesn’t have a better shot, isn’t bigger, and plays poorer defense.
Dan Pearson - January 3, 2012
But he’s younger and will not be declining in skills when Jrue is at his peak.
yosoysean - January 4, 2012
1.You don’t know that.
2. Turner will never be as good as Iguodala.
RickoT - January 4, 2012
If #1, then my response to #2 is also #1. That is the most Ricko comment of all time.
Michael Levin - January 4, 2012
Yes it is.
Ben16 - January 4, 2012
Let me amend my statement then.
He won’t be at the age in which skills are typically declining when Jrue is at the age in which players typically peak.
yosoysean - January 4, 2012
My problem isn't the skill vs skill,
My problem is that Iguodala is probably our best tradeable asset, and I don’t want to waste him on a player with real behavior issues.
flyrman57 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
you are 100% right. Iguodala is not a top 5 or top 10 NBA player, but he is a top 30 player. People keep saying he’s a “complimentary piece” but on most NBA teams, he’d be the best player they had. He doesn’t make Kobe money, and Turner is not going to be better than him. Trade Turner instead. Get cousins AND their draft pick.
Dan Pearson - January 3, 2012
If we cant steal him away with 1 of our non factors such as speights, brackins, vucevic . The only 2 rotation guys I’d trade for him at this point is Brand cuz he’s gone most likely after this season regardless (amnesty) or Thad! In my opinion what you see from thad is what you get, I dont see him becoming too much better than he already is so get value out of him now why he is still young and considered an up-and-coming player of sorts!
$crooge McBuck$ - January 3, 2012
Cousins
Agree with the article. The Sixers are stuck in neutral. While I love watching them play, and appreciate their youth, their athleticism, Collins, etc., the Sixers are stuck in NBA purgatory. Enjoying watching a particular team play doesn’t make them championship-caliber.
I’d love to take a chance on a young, legit, inexpensive big man.
One small qualm, though:
“Bringing in a legitimate scoring threat from the 5-spot – something Philadelphia hasn’t had since….um…. George McGinnis?”
G-Man not enough for you? Guy pumped in 17+ in the ‘88-’89 season.
Dave Rueter - January 3, 2012
we have one, his name is Spencer Hawes.
Dan Pearson - January 3, 2012
4 game sample size. Hawes has started off great but I won’t be (and you shouldn’t be) convinced unless he can put up numbers over a longer period of time.
yosoysean - January 4, 2012
Moses Malone :)
dweebowitz - January 4, 2012
weren’t the Kings the one team who had thoughts on making Thad Young an offer? and I’m not sure how the new trade rules work but wouldn’t the kings have to send us anotha player to make the salaries work?
$crooge McBuck$ - January 3, 2012
When did people on this blog take to calling the writers names? Can’t people be civil? I have seen this happen in the comments in the past couple of stories. I really like this blog because it is a pretty small community that treated each other with respect. No need to bash the writer’s opinions and call them names if they present a differing opinion than the on you have.
Ben16 - January 3, 2012
Levin likes Cousins! He must be a witch!!!
flyrman57 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Does he weigh more than...a duck?!?!?
dweebowitz - January 4, 2012
Seriously though I agree with you 100%,
Mike, Derek, and Jordan are great bloglords who run one of the best blogs on SB Nation. I think they are fair, and are inviting to new people, and are just great guys themselves. There is a reason I come on Liberty Ballers to comment and post stuff over other sites. The don’t deserve any of the crap they have been getting.
flyrman57 - January 4, 2012 via mobile
At some point, potential isn’t enough. You can’t keep getting in a tizzy over potential. The potential of Gerald Green is worthless right now.
You don’t trade a top 30 player in the NBA for unlikely to be reached potential. Even if you’re convinced Iguodala has no future on this team, that’s an extremely poor use of one of the few key chips you have.
The amount of value I place on potential decreases in line with how probable I view that player is to reach his potential. For many reasons, from maturity, to work ethic, to playing style on my current, the probability DeMarcus Cousins will reach his potential has faded in my mind, and how much I value his potential has dropped accordingly.
Anybody who was following this blog knew my thoughts on Cousins when I went to the combine in 2010. The moment I interviewed him and I saw him in person, I had a bad feeling. Every single concern you had leading up to the draft has come true to this point.
Don’t waste one of your biggest chips on somebody who will likely never get it. If he comes for Speights and your 2012 first (which should be near 20 or worse), fine. Iguodala. No-f’ing-way. Stop overvaluing likely unrealized potential.
The guy was awful last year. And that was BEFORE getting sent home by his team a mere 86 games into his pro career.
Derek Bodner - January 3, 2012
Agree 100%. I was a bit intrigued in his talent at the draft but that has all gone away in the 1+ seasons he’s been in the NBA. He has considerable upside that is extremely unlikely to be reached. Derrick Coleman was once the posterboy for this phenomena. Perhaps in the future we will be looking at Cousins as the player to compare future high bust probability prospects to.
yosoysean - January 4, 2012
Basketball Sense!
RickoT - January 4, 2012
Why wouldnt you make this move
I would defiantly pull the trigger on an iggy for cousins deal. What’s the worst that can happen? Cousins becomes a head case and we turn into a losing team BUT we ll be in the mix for a lottery pick. We re not going to land a big name free agent so the only way we can acquire a great talent is through trade or draft. I believe turner has the potential to be better than iggy, and we should give him more playing responsibilities and playing time. I’m so tired of having an extremely mediocre team.
Tj Singh - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Stop being so defiant.
jefu - January 3, 2012 via mobile
the worst that could happen is that you lose a top 30 in the league player. I’d say that’s a bad thing. We can’t land said free agent because our former poor management gave the team a bad reputation and drafted poorly.
Turner will never be a top 30 NBA player. A starter someday somewhere? Sure. Better than iggy? no. Iggy is just now coming into his prime. Besides, at least wait until 20 games in to call the team mediocre
Dan Pearson - January 3, 2012
dont get me wrong, i think iggy is as good as you’re saying, but we’re not going to be in championship contention while he’s still in his prime. we’re a fourth seed at best, and we should at least get something in return for him before his trade value plummets. everyone is looking at the bad side of cousins (which are hard to ignore), but it is also possible he lives up to his potential. maybe cousins just hates losing and needs a change of scenery. at the current state this team is at, i think it is reasonable of them to take this risk.
Tj Singh - January 4, 2012
EB, Speezy and a First for Cousins
We gain like 16 mil in cap space, allowing us to make a big move, acquire a potential superstar, trade one headcase for another. EB is replaceable. Hell, according to the Trade Machine the trade would add a win to our team O_O
ColeStevens - January 3, 2012
why would they ever do that? Come on now.
xEgan - January 3, 2012
They are one of the teams that need to add payroll because of the new cba so EB’s contract would take care of that this year & next for them
KJ Brophy - January 3, 2012
yeah this. It’s not likely but ya never know
ColeStevens - January 3, 2012
You seem to like play to win moves. There’s nothing wrong with that. High risk, high reward and you hope to get lucky. It’s really hard to get elite in this league, and sometimes it can take some balsy moves and a little bit of luck. Cousins is a guy with a ton up upside but I would probably stay away from him. My gut tells me he is bad news. Not a bad idea though
jrb5094 - January 3, 2012
I play for keeps. Everything about your comment is rational and I probably agree with all of it. Were I in the position to make this move, I may pull the trigger to spite myself.
Michael Levin - January 3, 2012
It all comes down to how much the Sixers have to give up to get him. Iguodala is off the table. So is Holliday and Williams. Anyone else or a combination of would be worth trading for a chance at a serviceable Center. But it is a big gamble, so you don’t want to sacrifice talent for what may be a total loss of a player.
Desperation makes teams do irrational things. Some team will offer more than what probably makes sense for the Sixers because they all hope Cousins is THAT CENTER. In that scenario the best thing would be for the Sixers to back away. Because he probably isn’t ever going to be a great Center. If he was, his coach would have done anything to make it work.
RickoT - January 4, 2012
Speezey is freeee
xEgan - January 4, 2012
how much is sac really expecting to get after broadcasting that he’s a headcase?
he’ll probably screw up for a 2nd team after the kings. i’d rather be the 3rd team and hire the world’s best psychiatrist.
lurkinbkln - January 4, 2012
Interesting
I was a big Cousins fan in college and thought he would be a strong big man despite the character issues however to this point that wasnt been the case. With that being said heres why I endorse the move as long as its not Jrue, Evan or Iggy. The best case scenario is that he turns into the stud he has the potential of being under Doug Collins teaching/discpline and the nucleus of Jrue ET and Cousins bring the sixers a championship. While this is very far-fretched no doubt if Cousins realized his full potential it is possible. Worst Case Scenario: Counsins is worse in Philly than in Sacramento and the team blows ups. This isnt the end of the world because lets face it this year we arent winning a title. After the year ends we have a top 5 big and trade Iggy for a mid round first. We then could draft two new pieces for the future and hopefully have a solid nucleus of Jrue, ET and then the two draft picks.
The reason I like this move is because its taking a chance. Im so tired of being a 7/8 seed that picks 16-18 and never seems to be willing to take chances needed to win a title. The Flyers are the anti-sixers. The Flyers realized that the team they had although making a stanley cup and the playoffs in consecutive years couldnt win it all so they traded arguable their two best players and started again.I hope the Sixers consider a move this drastic and that they see what the flyers saw, right now we cant win it all.
Mr.electric10 - January 4, 2012
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