If you are mystified by the Sacramento Kings’ plan to acquire all of the centers, then you are not alone. It turns out the Kings’ franchise cornerstone, and one of those numerous front court players, DeMarcus Cousins is just as confused.
Cousins spoke to reporters following Team USA’s practice on Monday, and was asked about the Kings’ puzzling offseason acquisitions.
“I can’t control [the draft decisions],” Cousins said. “I control what I can control. I don’t really understand it, but I do my job.”
As a quick refresher, the Kings possessed the No. 8 overall pick heading into June’s draft. They ended up flipping that pick to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the No. 13 and No. 28 overall picks. Sacramento then selected Greek center Georgios Papagiannis at No. 13 and Kentucky big man Skal Labissiere with No. 28.
This added two more post players to a team that was already a logjam in the front court. In addition to Cousins, the team drafted Willie Cauley-Stein with the No. 6 overall pick in 2015 and signed center Kosta Koufos to a four-year, $33 million deal later that summer.
Labissiere projects more as a power forward in the NBA, but the other four players are all listed as centers on the Kings roster. On draft night, Cousins sent out a tweet many believed to be expressing frustration with the Kings’ moves. However, he has since claimed he was referencing a yoga session.
Lord give me the strength 🙏🏿
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) June 24, 2016
Even if Cousins was publicly lamenting Sacramento’s decision making, can you blame him? Cauley-Stein’s mobility and defensive prowess compliment Cousins’ game well, and with Koufos as a backup, the Kings had a workable front court situation heading into the 2016-17 season. However, From a team-building aspect, the choice to invest in two more big men this offseason is puzzling to say the least.
Cousins has developed into arguably the best center in the NBA, and a legitimate star. He is by far the biggest bright spot on the Kings roster, and really the only thing separating them from being the worst team in the NBA. He does not need more help holding down the front court, he desperately needs competent guards to run the offense, get him the ball in good spots, and defend on the perimeter. In today’s space-and-pace NBA, the need for solid guard play is more important than ever, which only accentuates the Kings’ ridiculous stockpiling of front court assets while their back court remains on the of the bleakest in the league.
Cousins will be a free agent in 2018, but rumors about potential trades have swirled around him the last few seasons. The moves to bolster the front court could be a signal Sacramento is preparing to move Cousins soon, but then again this is Kings we are talking about. There’s also a good chance this is all part of owner Vivek Ranadive’s harebrained scheme to forever change the NBA with an all-center lineup.
Now more than ever it’s time to #FreeBoogie.
[ESPN]
