Here's the thing for me - if I saw a way to put a winner around Cousins I wouldn't want him traded at all.
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twslam07 put together a scenario but (1) it takes three seasons (2) it requires Cousins re-signing with the Kings while they rebuild yet again (3) it counts on John Wall deciding to sign with the Kings in the summer of 2019. Just on that last point there's never been a free agent of that caliber to sign in Sacramento - it is unprecedented really.
At this point the worst case scenario is the Kings standing pat and playing just well enough to lose their draft pick but not well enough to make the postseason.
Only slightly better would be sneaking into the playoffs. Because while I'd love to see the Kings end their playoff drought, they'd be faced with either retooling completely this offseason or overpaying to keep together a core that was only good enough to sneak into the last spot or so of the playoffs with not a ton of hope for growth.
It might be possible to build around Cousins on the fly - maybe Rudy gets dealt for lesser talent that fits better and helps the team move the ball more. Maybe the Kings keep their pick (and perhaps even get lucky for once in the lottery) and finally draft another difference maker. Maybe next summer's low key free agent signings actually pay a lot of dividends. It's possible. But it would take a lot of things breaking just right.
On the other hand, this is shaping up to be a VERY strong draft. Possibly one of the best in a number of years. And relatively deep up top too. There are a number of guys I like a lot. Two top 5 or so picks would be really nice to have.
And if Cousins is dealt for young players and a big ending contract (like Amir Johnson) and Rudy is either allowed to leave as a free agent or (more ideally) dealt for another ender or two and either a young player or a late 1st or early 2nd then the Kings can all of a sudden have a lot of cap room. Tolliver and Afflalo can be cut loose and now the Kings are in a position to do what the Sixers did - help other teams unload ugly contracts to free up cap space in exchange for young players or picks.
I see a path forward trading Cousins. It's much harder to see a path forward building around him - at least one that doesn't take 3-4 years to be competitive.
This isn't where I wanted the Kings to end up. But when you blow lottery pick after lottery pick and fail to build around your star, this is what you get.