Re: Cousins trade
At first, I thought it was horrendous. But then I thought about it a little more. Sac wasn't going to be able to re-sign him. Cousins was saying all the right things, but a guy like that isn't going to stay with a franchise awash in mediocrity. Cousins is selfish and whiny, and is not a team leader. He's bad for a losing team's locker room. So the fact Sac got a rising star (Buddy Hield is going to be a star) to replace Rudy Gay (not sure when contract is up, but it is soon), and a first round pick (despite it being protected) is a pretty good return, altogether.
Sure, for a franchise that has a new arena, not having one of the best physical talents in the NBA is going to hurt -- ticket sales are going to be down. But Cousins is just a whiny brat, and restarting with a guy like Buddy Hield is a good move.
I was ripping the trade like everyone was when it was first announced. But I actually think, from a franchise standpoint, the Kings did the right thing in the long term.
p.s. forgot to comment on Tyreke Evans. Now back in Sacramento, who never used him correctly, I think Evans will thrive as a wing player. He's not a PG, like Sac tried to make him early on. He's a poor-man's Scottie Pippen. He'll average 16-6-6 and be a valuable piece. With him and Hield, Sacramento has a decent building base, and brings one of their draftees home.
Cousins is a superstar, and anythjing in return for him won't match up, talent-wise. But I think Sac did better than most people realize. Time will tell.
Now if my Wolves DON'T trade for Derrick Rose, I'd appreciate it...