In typical NBA trade deadline fashion, DeMarcus Cousins' name has once again surfaced to the top of the rumor mill as teams can begin to make deals. The center continues to gain attention from teams despite not being currently available according to the Sacramento Kings. After it was reported that the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics were all interested in acquiring Cousins, the Kings are once again making it clear they are not trading the center.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Kings are not budging on their stance on Cousins. General manager Vlade Divac is making it clear once again that Cousins is not available for trading and will not be available. The center is signed to a reasonable contract that runs through the next two seasons and considering he is their best piece on the roster at the moment, the Kings simply cannot afford to let him go. Instead, over the next two years, the Kings will aim to build around him.
Cousins is not the only player being taken off the market earlier. The New Orleans Pelicans are also making it clear that Ryan Anderson is not leaving the team any time soon. The Pelicans were starting to get involved in trade talks as the power forward is enticing to several teams. Anderson is playing out the final year of his contract worth $8.5 million and New Orleans favors trying to re-sign him rather than let him leave. While that certainly is risky, Stein reports that he is off the table unless the Pelicans get an offer they simply cannot pass up.
Another player not moving at the trade deadline is Dwight Howard. Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops.com reported Howard wanted a trade for Houston Rockets as he remains unhappy with his role in the organization. However, Howard took to the Houston Chronicle to make it clear that he was not demanding a move from the Rockets and was simply frustrated by losing.
So who is available at the trade deadline for teams looking to upgrade in size? According to Stein, Miles Plumlee, Markieff Morris, Terrence Jones, Derrick Williams and Chris Andersen are all players that could move at the trade deadline. With two months until teams need to make a decision, no moves are expected right now. However, talk will heat up at the All-Star break. This will not be the first time that Cousins sees his name brought up in trade talk. For now the Kings are staying put. However, if someone comes in with a big offer, it will be interesting to see just how committed they are to the center.
