The Boston Celtics had been rumored to not only be inquiring about Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins, but even working out a deal that would be done early this week. But with more information coming out Monday, it's clear that the Celtics' inquiries were just that -- inquiries.
DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors: Kings not willing to deal center yet
Though the Boston Celtics reportedly inquired about trading for troubled Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, but it doesn’t appear to be a possibility.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett reports that Danny Ainge and company did look into Cousins, the talented but troubled center who has been suspended three times this season, but the Kings are asking for an awful lot should they really be willing to make the deal.
USA Today’s Sam Amick, formerly of the Sacramento Bee, tweeted that it’s not even an issue at this point:
DeMarcus Cousins is not going to the Celtics. Teams continue to be told that he's not available. That is all.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 7, 2013
So how did the Cousins rumors ramp up?
The Celtic's decided to waive Kris Joseph and Jarvis Varnado, seemingly a sign that they were ready to make a trade. At the least, it could mean more wiggle room down the road this season by saving the team several hundred thousand dollars. Those two moves will give Boston more leeway if they sign a veteran's minimum contract later this year.
Ric Bucher of ESPN believes the Kings are simply trying to find the market value of Cousins, and with the team not wanting to go over the salary cap, they'd have to package Cousins -- still on a $3.8 million rookie contract -- with a higher contract of John Salmons or Marcus Thornton. In return, Sacramento would only be able to receive, for example, Jeff Green and Avery Bradley, which isn't the shiniest of returns.
With that, Sacramento is still stuck with a big-time talent whose trade value is compromised by all of his question marks.
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