I don't think Bricklayer left simply because Cousins was traded. I think it had something to do with a straw and a camel's back.
In my opinion, as someone who debated him often, it was his anger AND
wounded pride over the Boogie trade that led to his exile from this site. He was wrong and it hurt his pride. This was as much a variable as his anger. And if he wants to log back on and defend himself he is welcome to do so. I welcome his return. Brick was convinced Vlade and Boogie had this "unbreakable bond". I was not so sure. That was NOT my perception. Brick was of mindset that Boogie and Vlade had this mutual respect and trust after the fiasco of PDA. As the theory goes, this "deep loyalty" was a two way street and there would subsequently be a "passing of the torch" from one great Kings center to another, and these two guys would be inseparable for the rest of their playing and front office career. Um, no.
This perception did NOT sit well with me. And I said so at the time. Boogie was not pleased with drafting of Papa G. He acted as if he was confused or perplexed, as if GM would have the audacity to draft a player who played the position of a "future hall of famer". Well, if Boogie and Vlade had this transcendent relationship WHY were the lines of communications NOT open enough to clear the air and get clarification on the GMs thought process? Why was Boogie not clued in on the machinations of the GM? Answer: Boogie and Vlade were NEVER that close. Vlade liked and support him as a player during his tenure. But he never saw him as indispensable as the behavioral issues mounted.
Fast forward to the trade. I did NOT see that coming. I admit when I am wrong. I was wrong. I don't mind admitting when I am wrong because I am usually not.
What I said at the time was that Boogie's behavioral issues would depress his trade value AND his improved efficiency (career high TS% and assist to TO) would make Vlade more comfortable shelling out MAX deal. What I did NOT see coming was that Vlade would accept a depressed trade offer. I presumed Vlade would only pull trigger on a Godfather-type offer. In retrospective, it only takes one desperate team to make a deal, and the Pelicans were desperate to shake up their roster and extend the employment opportunity of coach and GM.
The other variable in this deal going down was the (justified) love affair with Buddy Hield. It's water under the bridge but I wonder if the Kings could have had Ingram and the Lakers pick if Vlade would have been a better poker player and patient negotiator? I think they could have. Regardless, I think Brick was shook to his core, the Brick was shattered into pieces so to speak because he presumed
an undying loyalty by the GM to the player. Vlade's loyalty was tested one too many times and he had seen enough. He didn't get enough value in return but I don't blame him wanting to cut ties.
Now that time has passed I actually credit Vlade for having the courage to admit it was NOT working. It would have been nice to get the 2019 NOP pick. And it would have been nicer to get the Lakers #2 pick in this last draft, but still this trade is looking mighty fine with the #5 pick into a player who projects as just as dominant as Boogie and the #10 pick parlayed into JJ and the "future C-Webb"....It's too bad Brick does not want to acknowledge this roll of the dice is working out and to come back home.