All Lakers talk this season has been about “tanking” and securing a Top 5 Pick. Based on the Lakers play, we should have no problem accomplishing that feat. But what if we don’t get the #1 pick? Is there a “sure thing” outside of Jahlil Okafor?
As a fan, the Lakers have been more like seagulls this season. Watching what other teams “drop” and hoping we can swoop up and grab disgruntled or underutilized talent. Case in point, DeMarcus Cousins. With George Karl as newly crowned Sacramento Kings Coach, the relationship with his best player is under the microscope.
Karl prefers a fast-paced style, where as Cousins thrives in a half-court, slow down offense. This potential clash of styles could work out in the Lakers favor since Byron Scott runs the Princeton Offense where a lot of screening and ball movement happens on offense. The Lakers run when they have the opportunity, but it’s not the focus of the offense.
Cousins has been upset since former Kings Coach, Mike Malone was dismissed, Assistant Coach Tyrone Corbin was named Interim Coach, then George Karl was hired before the All-Star Break. Listen to this post-game rant after a Kings win where Cousins actually hit the game winner:
In a recent blowout loss to the Clippers, Cousins looked frustrated and Karl sarcastically chided him in the post-game interview. They’re not exactly off to the best start. Fast forward to the 2015 NBA Draft, assuming Karl and Cousins aren’t a good “fit” and the Lakers acquire pick #2 – #5, do the Lakers offer the pick to Sacramento for Cousins if the Kings decide this marriage between player and coach is destined to fail?
Cousins has been a head case early on in his career, but he showed in the 2014 FIBA Tournament how much talent and discipline he can have under the proper leadership. The Lakers have always won with great big men and Cousins is arguably the most talented center in the league on offense. Scott is an old-school coach who can mold Cousins into a superstar and with Kobe Bryant as his mentor, the sky’s the limit for this brute force if he suited up in purple and gold.
If the Lakers don’t get the #1 pick in the draft and the Kings want a divorce with Cousins, I say pull the trigger. It’s hard to argue with these highlights, right?
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