Dec 6, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Lakers as shooting guard Wesley Johnson (11) walks to the bench for a timeout during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
3) Packaging the #2 and Jordan Hill to the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins.
When George Karl was hired this year, he was supposed to ease the tension for Cousins, but he did just the opposite. The damage to Cousins may be too deep in Sacramento and Karl did state that any player is tradeable. The Celtics and Knicks are expected to try and pry Cousins away from the Kings, but with the Lakers acquiring the #2 pick they may be the frontrunners for his services if Sacramento decides they want to form a new core for their team. Cousins is the best offensive big man in the game and a junior version of Shaquille O’Neal. Although Lakers fans would love to see the likes of Okafor or Towns grow into their own, at 24 years old Cousins is a force to be reckoned with for the next 10 years. Another positive factor is that former Kings coach Mike Malone, known for his hard-nosed, old school tactics was beloved by Cousins and he would get the same type of coaching from Byron Scott and Bryant.
In ways the Draft Lottery couldn’t have gone better for the Lakers (unless they landed the #1 pick) and now the future seems bright. The Lakers biggest hole, the center position, will be filled so they can focus on filling the other roster holes such as the small forward and guard position. Maybe the best result from landing the #2 pick is the idea that the Lakers will get better much faster than previously expected. This is a great sign for free agency plus the warm weather and rich history doesn’t hurt either.