The Boston Celtics haven't been shy about their desire to acquire a superstar, and they've been linked to Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins for well over a year. Sacramento has been unwilling to trade Cousins, but according to Sean Devernay of Sporting News, the Kings have relented on that stance and there is now a good chance they trade him before the deadline:
“I’d say they have three months, tops,” one Western Conference general manager told Sporting News, requesting anonymity because he is not allowed to speak about other teams' players. “Probably more like a month, or month-and-a-half, because the closer they get to the (February trade) deadline, the less they’re going to get back. If you’re trying to trade him the week of the deadline, it’s going to be tougher.”
For the Kings to move on from Cousins, the gap between what Sacramento sees as its asset (a franchise player) and what other teams see as a gamble (a hot-headed non-leader) will have to be bridged. It’s more likely that will fall to the Kings scaling back on its expectations from a Cousins trade, not only because of Cousins’ negative, but also because of the fact that he will be in the last year of his contract next season.
“It is not going to happen unless the Kings cave a little,” the West GM said. “No one is going to give up too much for someone who might ruin your team’s chemistry this year, then ruin it next year when he is playing for free-agent money. If they don’t see that, then I don’t think it changes and I don’t think he goes anywhere. I don’t know that is good for them or for him, either. But that’s the reality.”
Boston certainly has the assets to make a trade, and now may be more willing to part with Brooklyn's 2017 first-round pick with the Nets' improved play. However, the Celtics have a backup plan if they can't get Cousins in Nerlens Noel.
While not a star, Noel is a promising young defensive player who would give the Celtics the rim protector they've been lacking. The Philadelphia 76ers have been trying to trade him since the offseason, and with them not signing him to a long-term extension, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe sees that as an opportunity for the Celtics to acquire him this year, or to sign him as a free agent after the season.
The deadline for long-term extensions for fourth-year players has passed, and seven of the 30 first-round picks from the 2013 draft agreed to extensions. There were no real shockers, but it was notable that the 76ers didn’t come close to striking a deal with center Nerlens Noel, who could have earned a deal in the $70 million range because of his potential, especially defensively. But it seems the 76ers have decided to move Noel, who will now be a restricted free agent this summer. The Celtics have long admired Noel, so don’t be surprised if they make an offer next summer, hoping to pair the Everett native with Al Horford in the frontcourt.
Noel, who is not short on suitors, has also been linked to the Toronto Raptors. He is out for a few more weeks after having knee surgery in October, so no deal could be reached until he returned. Last year, Noel averaged 11.1 and 8.1 rebounds per game.
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