The Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings have "exchanged possible frameworks" on a DeMarcus Cousins trade heading into the NBA draft and while the Kings are still talking to other teams, LA has a package planned with Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and the number two overall pick, which could be used on Jahlil Okafor or D'Angelo Russell.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports, the teams have been discussing a deal centered around Cousins and the sides have "exchanged possible frameworks" for a trade. The report says that the Kings are also talking with other teams besides the Lakers about a potential deal. The Boston Celtics have also been mentioned as an option for Cousins and this comes as head coach George Karl is reportedly pushing the Kings front office to make a deal.
Wojnarowski writes that the Kings are pursuing a package that likely would include Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and/or the number two pick in the draft. The team is also looking to ditch the contract of Carl Landry and that could be included in the deal. Wojnarowski writes that sources told Yahoo Sports that the Lakers have "no intention" of including Randle in the deal and they also are "reluctant to part" with Clarkson. But to get a deal done for Cousins, the team likely will have to give up one of those players.
The team is continuing to focus on the draft and they are centering on either Jahlil Okafor or D'Angelo Russell with the number two pick. Wojnarowski writes that the team is "eager" to get a deal done for Cousins, but if they don't have a trade by the draft, they likely will go through with the pick. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive has been opposed to making a move, according to reports, including a deal to the Denver Nuggets. Wojnarowski writes that with former Kings executive Pete D'Alessandro and coach Michael Malone with the team, Ranadive may not want to make the deal. Earlier on Wednesday reports had Karl interested in acquiring Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson from the Nuggets, as they played for Karl when he was Denver's coach.
Cousins is reportedly "unenthusiastic" about playing for Karl and wouldn't mind a trade to another team, including the Lakers. The Boston Celtics were reportedly interested in pursuing a deal with the Kings for Cousins, but right now the sides have not exchanged any framework. The discussed deal between the Lakers and Kings could change, but right now it's likely that if a deal happens, Randle and Clarkson would have to move for Cousins.
Cousins has been active on social media about the reports of his relationship with Karl and he also said that he wants to be back with the Kings, so he is not pushing a trade. Either way, the Kings have been discussing deals with Cousins and the Lakers appear to be the closest to making a trade, but at a very steep price. The Lakers have been eyeing Okafor and they are expected to be active in free agency, but if they get Cousins, the team likely will not target Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge on the market.
