I don't see anybody bringing this up at all. He's younger, and he can do everything Dwight can (1.7 BPG this season) + he shot 78% from the line this season as well. He isnt as big as a presence on the defensive end though. Thoughts?
Sac says no. Until they decide they want to move DeMarcus it's a waste of time. But...yes, most everybody here would jump on a Dwight/DeMarcus trade. Even then I'm pretty sure Morey wouldn't do it because of loyalty to Dwight. Trading max salary players who are the core of your team without them wanting to go...is a recipe for not being able to sign a max free agent in the future.
People are so willing to just get rid of a guy after he took a paycut to join the team, has sacrificed his touches to help the team and loves being in Houston on top of that. Dwight has shown nothing but loyalty to the city and the franchise. Show some back.
You just presented a case on why Sacramento wouldn't want to do that deal. There are big risks to both sides. For us, it's a new guy with a wildcard personality and chemistry questions. For them, it's injury / longevity questions. I wouldn't be opposed to the trade but I'd be apprehensive. Dwight has been most impactful player for the Rockets over the last two post-seasons, so standing pat with him wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
Unless he retires after his contract runs out with us he didn't take much of any kind of a pay cut. He gave up a guaranteed year of pay knowing he was almost certainly going to sign another pretty big deal after this one runs out anyway and with the way the cap is gonna jump he probably made the smart financial move. Would do the trade for the on court reasons, wouldn't do it because of the off court reasons. Like someone mentioned it's not good for business to trade off your max guys when they don't want to be traded.
It's hard to count all the reasons Sacrament says no, but here's a shot: 1) Cousins is younger 2) Cousins is paid less 3) Cousins is under contract for longer 4) Dwight has a PO after the next season and could walk for nothing 5) Dwight has injury history 6) Dwight also has a history of pouting his way off teams he doesn't like. You think he'll like the circus that is Sacramento? 7) and most of all, Cousins is a better player than Dwight at this point, and that gap will only get greater as Cousins reaches his prime and Dwight steps out of his.
Donchakno Everyone is a fool for the Rockets Rocket River When we want them . . .all we have to do is call
We need to wait and watch and if Cousins relationship with Sac sours to the point that they need to dump him (possible given Cousins' personality clashes but not inevitable), we might be able to be in the conversation with Howard. But, there's no reason Sac would trade him right now.
I wish the Rockets could get Cousins. Even with his issues he is a BEAST!! Best center in the league IMO - although not nearly as good as Dwight defensively! But yeah, no way SAC trades Cousins for Howard, for precisely all of the reasons you have stated. Also from the Rockets' point of view - only minor tweaks are needed. Made it to the WCF, despite all the injuries throughout the season (I think the projected starting lineup only played 2!!! games together) and during the playoffs, the mid-season acquisitions and with chemistry still building. I say, you keep the core: Hope for better health next year, hope everybody improves their game and hope for strong on-court chemistry as they play more games together. That, with the added tweaks and the Rockets should be right there again...hopefully winning it all!!!
I'd love Sacramento to take the stupid pills needed to make such a deal. But nothing worse than the #3 pick in this draft would even get them to listen, never mind a goofy-ass won't-stick-around nearly-30 breaking-down center.
I don't see the crave for Cousins. He doesn't take care of himself and seems to get injured ever so often. ?????????
You've got it wrong. Sacs are not trading Cousins for Dwight. Dwight is on a decline while Cousins is still on the way up. He's yet to hit his ceiling. He's just 24 years old and his stats are already comparable to Dwight's best years.
