homeSports

NBA trade rumors 2016: Three teams scramble to acquire DeMarcus Cousins

Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins (L) and Toronto Raptors' Amir Johnson (R) tangle over the ball in this photo. | Reuters/Max Whittaker

Sacramento Kings All-Star Player DeMarcus Cousins is the subject of the many National Basketball Association (NBA) trade rumors, with the talented big man being linked to three teams.

The Chicago Bulls reportedly has its eye on Cousins. He is projected to fill the gap left by Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, who skedaddled from the Windy City early this offseason free agency.

Reports suggest that although the Bulls still has a good lineup left, what Cousins has to offer will allow the team to replicate the power the team had when Gasol and Noah were around.

Cousins will also fit right in with Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, making the Chicago Bulls a force to be reckoned with this season despite losing its veterans.

However, in order for Chicago to get Cousins, the team might have to trade its young talents like Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis, who should be assets for Sacramento Kings in terms of their rebuilding process.

With talents that Cousins possesses, other teams are clamoring to sign him. Even the Boston Celtics are reportedly working to recruit him, per NBA trade rumors.

The Celtics still do not have a superstar for the offseason, but if they play their cards right, they can land Cousins. However, team coach Danny Ainge emphasized that some trades just can't happen.

"We were aggressive in trade talks but those depend on price. We were just trying to make the best decisions we can," Ainge told Larry H. Russell of CLNS Radio.

"We're trying to get a star but price matters. If our fans saw the prices on some of the trades, they'd say 'Yeah they made the right decision,'" he continued.

Cousins is reportedly on their radar, but obviously, a deal has not been struck yet. If the Celtics are looking to get him, they will reportedly also have to go toe-to-toe with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Other NBA trade rumors hint that LeBron James is trying to convince him to join his team by taking advantage of the time they spend together at the Rio Olympics.

After all, this is how he, Wade and Chris Bosh — who represented the USA men's basketball team in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 —  reportedly got together and planned their Bulls takeover.