The Cleveland Cavaliers is reportedly doing what they can to one-up the Golden State Warriors, which recently upgraded their team for the 2016-17 NBA season by acquiring Kevin Durant. Rumors claimed that LeBron James is one of the personalities calling the shots in improving the Cavs' lineup, and it involves trading Kevin Love for DeMarcus Cousins.
James is considered as the Cavs' de facto general manager, according to Sportsrageous. He is involved in constructing the players surrounding him on the court and picking those he thinks would have an excellent gameplay that matches his.
James pushing for a Love-Cousins trade isn't entirely new, seeing as that rumor already popped up in past months. That possible trade, however, became alive again after Cousins' impressive performance at the Rio Olympic Games 2016 as a member of the 2016 USA Men's Basketball Team against China. KingJamesGospel reported that the Cavs management was awestruck with Cousins' play to the point that they are open to negotiating Love for the Sacramento Kings' power forward and center.
If the rumored trade comes to fruition, the Cavs would greatly benefit from Cousins as the team's center or power forward. Cousins' 6-foot-11 height and 270-pound weight can improve both the Cavs' offensive and defensive sides, The Bitbag noted. The 24-year-old's defensive skills and capability to shoot outside would help propel the Cavs as a force to be reckoned with against the Warriors' so-called super team.
Another team rumored to be interested in acquiring Cousins is the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls recently improved their lineup by signing Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. However, they also lost big players Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah, which means they might be setting their sights on Cousins to replace the two.
The Bulls is in need of big players, given that Robin Lopez is the only man they have taller than 6-foot-10, The Inquisitr noted. They have shooters in Denzel Valentine, Doug McDermott, Nikola Mirotic, and Isaiah Canaan, but what they need is someone who can effectively rebound the basketball and protect the ring on defense. That's a role that Cousins can fulfill.
Of course, valuable replacements are needed if the Kings pursues a trade with the Bulls. Parent Herald previously reported that the Kings wants Mirotic and Bobby Portis in exchange for Cousins.
Where do you think Cousins would end up? Do you think he's a better addition to the Cavs or to the Bulls? Tell us in the comments section below.
