Kings making Rudy available for trade?

[CuzistanKing]

1 Cuz
1 dedicated PG
everybody else scrap on defense or shoot threes

core personnel who work/align with Cuz:
Casspi
Rondo
Cuz
WCS

scrub personnel who work well with Cuz or seem to get the scrapper thing:
Acy
Curry

support personnel who could/should work but haven't fully clicked yet:
Koufos
Belinelli

scrub personnel who might work well or get the scrapper thing, but too little evidence:
Anderson
Moreland

grandfathered personnel who look uncomfortable + sometimes lack focus or energy:
Gay
McLemore
Collison

wants out:
Butler

Right, that's the structure that you (and I) would like this team to go for, and indeed what I think Vlade had in mind in the offseason. Problem is, I don't think that's what the coach (and possibly the owner) wants, based on playing time and rotations, hence my argument. I also have a slightly higher opinion of Rudy and would slot him under "support personnel that hasn't clicked" but that's minor. The point I was trying to make - we obviously do not have a well-defined identity that everyone in FO agrees on, thus trading people before such identity is clearly established strikes me as odd.

 

[sdballer]

Right, that's the structure that you (and I) would like this team to go for, and indeed what I think Vlade had in mind in the offseason. Problem is, I don't think that's what the coach (and possibly the owner) wants, based on playing time and rotations, hence my argument. I also have a slightly higher opinion of Rudy and would slot him under "support personnel that hasn't clicked" but that's minor. The point I was trying to make - we obviously do not have a well-defined identity that everyone in FO agrees on, thus trading people before such identity is clearly established strikes me as odd.

I'd also put Ben under this category. I think with a more defined defense (not the constant scramble and switching) plus less focus on the dribble drive, and I think he'd be a good compliment to a more methodical approach. Frankly, all the personnel moves won't matter if we keep Karl's stupid system.

 

[Livinthedream]

My concern is any trade made to match the kind of team Karl wants to field. I don't care for his style. Build a team right and get the right kind of coach

 

[Bricklayer]

I'd also put Ben under this category. I think with a more defined defense (not the constant scramble and switching) plus less focus on the dribble drive, and I think he'd be a good compliment to a more methodical approach. Frankly, all the personnel moves won't matter if we keep Karl's stupid system.

Which we are.

And indeed that's why I say our end goal is going to be:

Cuz
dedicated PG
lots of defensive scrappers and 3pt shooters

That really is Karl ball. Karl is not a great defensive coach, but he has had numerous teams that varied from decent to pretty good defenisvely in a scramble the game and gamble/create havoc sort of way. We just don't have enough personnel for that here. There's a reason Karl has been increasingly experimenting with Curry back there. Curry isn't very good, but he's really trying to pressure on defense, and that's Karl's theory. He's not "ice" or any complex Thibodeau scheme, he's gamble, trap, create turnovers and try to stop them at the rim guy.

 

[sdballer]

Which we are.

And indeed that's why I say our end goal is going to be:

Cuz
dedicated PG
lots of defensive scrappers and 3pt shooters

That really is Karl ball. Karl is not a great defensive coach, but he has had numerous teams that varied from decent to pretty good defenisvely in a scramble the game and gamble/create havoc sort of way. We just don't have enough personnel for that here. There's a reason Karl has been increasingly experimenting with Curry back there. Curry isn't very good, but he's really trying to pressure on defense, and that's Karl's theory. He's not "ice" or any complex Thibodeau scheme, he's gamble, trap, create turnovers and try to stop them at the rim guy.

Agreed but any system that requires us to scrap our entire team to make it work, when it isn't even a great fit for our best players, is maybe not the best system.

 

[gunks]

My concern is any trade made to match the kind of team Karl wants to field. I don't care for his style. Build a team right and get the right kind of coach

While I'm not averse to trading Rudy, I can definitely co-sign this.

I'd love for us to fire Karl before making any roster moves. His coaching has been nothing short of doo-doo. Of course that opens the whole "But who do we replace him with?" can of worms.

Our franchise, as always, is a mess.

 

[funkykingston]

I'd also put Ben under this category. I think with a more defined defense (not the constant scramble and switching) plus less focus on the dribble drive, and I think he'd be a good compliment to a more methodical approach. Frankly, all the personnel moves won't matter if we keep Karl's stupid system.

But here's the thing - what's the alternative to Karl?

The only viable option is Tom Thibodeau. Would he be interested in the Kings job? How would Rondo get along with a coach who is even more of a micromanager than Carlisle? Would he insist on playing his starters ridiculous minutes and if so would Boogie hold up? Wouldn't Thibodeau also be clamoring for roster moves to improve the defense?

I'm NOT a fan of Karl's coaching. I'm really frustrated with what I see, but I also don't see a new coach as a quick fix. Especially if that coach still has the same roster that let Boston run them out of the gym and showed little fight against Philly and the Pels on their home floor.

No matter the coach I'm at the point where I'd trade Rudy for Bazemore straight up if that were possible and the Hawks willing. As it is I think guys like Bazemore and Leonard might only be in play for the guys the Kings are willing to dangle (Ben, Darren, Rudy, possibly Marco & Kosta) because they are going to be hitting free agency in a jackpot summer for players.

 

[Merdiesel]

Even though we are selling low on all three guys... Rudy, DC and Ben should be able to get us a legit starting shoot guard and a decent bench guy.

 

[206Fan]

Could Gay be any worse than McLemore and Belinelli? At least he's got length, better footspeed than Marco and a better understanding of team defense than Ben. The Kings don't have the right pieces. So without shaking up the roster, what else can be done? I think Casspi and WCS as starters would help. Then the options at SG are essentially Darren (to go small ball), Ben, Marco or Rudy. I think I'd opt for Rudy



I have no idea if the Hawks and Blazers would be interested but here's a trade that works under the Cap.

The Kings trade:
Rudy Gay
Darren Collison
Ben McLemore

The Kings receive:
Kent Bazemore
Myers Leonard
Tim Myers
Chris Kaman (who would be waived)

The Hawks trade:
Tiago Splitter
Kent Bazemore

The Hawks receive:
Rudy Gay

The Blazers trade:
Myers Leonard
Tim Myers
Chris Kaman

The Blazers receive:
Tiago Splitter
Darren Collison
Ben McLemore

The Hawks get more scoring punch at the SF, the Blazers get a veteran big man, a real back up PG/6th man and a still young SG prospect.

The Kings get a very solid 3&D SG, a stretch 4/5 and a fringe 3rd PG.

It's a net loss of talent for the Kings but probably a big on court improvement from having a better balanced roster.

C Cousins/Koufos/Moreland
PF Cauley-Stein/Leonard/Acy
SF Casspi/Anderson/Butler
SG Bazemore/Belinelli
PG Rondo/Curry/Myers

Blazers are getting way too much for only giving up Leonard.
Kings don't get back enough.
Hawks are ok.

Leonard is a RFA this off season and he could be had for the right price. Portland is essentially giving up their stretch 4, washed up C, and random PG for a good backup PG, solid C, and a good potential SG.

The Kings give up a proven SF, good backup PG, and a young potential for a good, but UFA wing, RFA stretch 4, and a random player for filler.

I'd want at least Schroeder back in that deal or it's not worth it at all. I'm confident that Rudy alone would be able to fetch both Bazemore and Schroeder.

Gay, Collison, and Ben turned into Bazemore, Leonard, and Frazier doesn't sound like a fair trade off at all. It's mostly of due to the fact that both Bazemore and Leonard only have this year left on their contract, while our guys have at least 2.

 

[k_dubb90]

Gay for Stephenson?

 

[funkykingston]

Blazers are getting way too much for only giving up Leonard.
Kings don't get back enough.
Hawks are ok.

Leonard is a RFA this off season and he could be had for the right price. Portland is essentially giving up their stretch 4, washed up C, and random PG for a good backup PG, solid C, and a good potential SG.

The Kings give up a proven SF, good backup PG, and a young potential for a good, but UFA wing, RFA stretch 4, and a random player for filler.

I'd want at least Schroeder back in that deal or it's not worth it at all. I'm confident that Rudy alone would be able to fetch both Bazemore and Schroeder.

Gay, Collison, and Ben turned into Bazemore, Leonard, and Frazier doesn't sound like a fair trade off at all. It's mostly of due to the fact that both Bazemore and Leonard only have this year left on their contract, while our guys have at least 2.

I'd definitely take Shroeder. And if Portland's not giving up enough they could send Crabbe and Myers to Atlanta. Personally I'd want Crabbe on the Kings but if Bazemore is already coming as the starting SG and Belinelli is still under contract then there's not really any reason to do that.

Essentially I was looking at it as two separate trades. Rudy for Bazemore and Collison and McLemore for Leonard. The other pieces and the nature of it being a three way deal was to balance the salaries.

Kent Bazemore isn't as gifted a player as Rudy. But he's a very good defender, a scrapper, a massively improved catch-and-shoot player and a guy who is really grateful to be on an NBA roster (undrafted, stints in the D-League) and it absolutely shows in his play.

Moreover, he's a MUCH better fit in a George Karl offense. Some visual evidence:



Not only is his game better suited for what Karl wants to do (much less midrange, almost all 3's and at the basket) . . .



but he's also a great compliment to Casspi. Omri is best shooting from straight on and the wings and Bazemore is deadly from the corners.

If George Karl weren't the coach of this team I'd likely still be in favor of a Gay/Bazemore swap. But with Karl in place it's a no brainer to me. Now how Atlanta feels? I don't know.

 

[randymoss1881]

Could Gay be any worse than McLemore and Belinelli? At least he's got length, better footspeed than Marco and a better understanding of team defense than Ben. The Kings don't have the right pieces. So without shaking up the roster, what else can be done? I think Casspi and WCS as starters would help. Then the options at SG are essentially Darren (to go small ball), Ben, Marco or Rudy. I think I'd opt for Rudy



I have no idea if the Hawks and Blazers would be interested but here's a trade that works under the Cap.

The Kings trade:
Rudy Gay
Darren Collison
Ben McLemore

The Kings receive:
Kent Bazemore
Myers Leonard
Tim Myers
Chris Kaman (who would be waived)

The Hawks trade:
Tiago Splitter
Kent Bazemore

The Hawks receive:
Rudy Gay

The Blazers trade:
Myers Leonard
Tim Myers
Chris Kaman

The Blazers receive:
Tiago Splitter
Darren Collison
Ben McLemore

The Hawks get more scoring punch at the SF, the Blazers get a veteran big man, a real back up PG/6th man and a still young SG prospect.

The Kings get a very solid 3&D SG, a stretch 4/5 and a fringe 3rd PG.

It's a net loss of talent for the Kings but probably a big on court improvement from having a better balanced roster.

C Cousins/Koufos/Moreland
PF Cauley-Stein/Leonard/Acy
SF Casspi/Anderson/Butler
SG Bazemore/Belinelli
PG Rondo/Curry/Myers

A 6 team trade come on man!

 

[Jkbiker]

Please No!!! Rudy was a legit #2 guy behind BigCuz last year

Why did Toronto trade him? because he was a bust at the 4 position

He played great for us at the #3 position last year when we had even less talent at the 4,5 position

We now have more depth at the 4.5 and what do we do? We play Rudy at the 4

Rudy will defend better at the 3, he will shoot midrange jumpers over smaller SFs all day

Doing this is just Toronto Stupid!

 

[Arkitect]

Please No!!! Rudy was a legit #2 guy behind BigCuz last year

Why did Toronto trade him? because he was a bust at the 4 position

He played great for us at the #3 position last year when we had even less talent at the 4,5 position

We now have more depth at the 4.5 and what do we do? We play Rudy at the 4

Rudy will defend better at the 3, he will shoot midrange jumpers over smaller SFs all day

Doing this is just Toronto Stupid!

Sometimes I wish we were Toronto stupid. They are currently the 2nd best team in the East and have been good/great ever since trading Rudy.

 

[randymoss1881]

I'm shocked NO said no they need a SF badly and Abderson can leave them. That speaks volumes if true to me about Gay, we will get better just like every team he has left

If we do trade Gay a couple FA SF I'd go after are Barnes, Bazemore, and Batumn.

 

[funkykingston]

A 6 team trade come on man!

It's a three team trade. Kings, Hawks and Blazers.

 

[206Fan]

I'd definitely take Shroeder. And if Portland's not giving up enough they could send Crabbe and Myers to Atlanta. Personally I'd want Crabbe on the Kings but if Bazemore is already coming as the starting SG and Belinelli is still under contract then there's not really any reason to do that.

Essentially I was looking at it as two separate trades. Rudy for Bazemore and Collison and McLemore for Leonard. The other pieces and the nature of it being a three way deal was to balance the salaries.

Kent Bazemore isn't as gifted a player as Rudy. But he's a very good defender, a scrapper, a massively improved catch-and-shoot player and a guy who is really grateful to be on an NBA roster (undrafted, stints in the D-League) and it absolutely shows in his play.

Moreover, he's a MUCH better fit in a George Karl offense. Some visual evidence:



Not only is his game better suited for what Karl wants to do (much less midrange, almost all 3's and midrange) . . .



but he's also a great compliment to Casspi. Omri is best shooting from straight on and the wings and Bazemore is deadly from the corners.

If George Karl weren't the coach of this team I'd likely still be in favor of a Gay/Bazemore swap. But with Karl in place it's a no brainer to me. Now how Atlanta feels? I don't know.

Great graphics and I completely agree with you. The amazing thing about Bazemore is that Atlanta also has his early birds rights. Or we can use the non bird exception where we can give him a 1 year deal without affecting our cap correct?

I think our best bet is to try to pry away Schroeder from them too. However, with this, I'd want us to move on from Rondo and have Schroeder as the PG of the future. He's been very vocal about wanting to lead his own team. This puts a bit of pressure on Atlanta to trade him. I'd even include Collison if that's what it would take. Not retaining Rondo gives us lots of room to work in FA.

If Bazemore wants to stay, and I'm right about the non-bird exception, FA can be huge for us.

Schroeder, Collison,
Bazemore, Belinelli, McLemore
Barnes, Casspi
WCS, Leonard
Cousins, Kofus

Or we can after Batum, Fournier, Anderson, and etc. Not spending FA money on Rondo gives us tons of other options for other players.

 

[funkykingston]

Please No!!! Rudy was a legit #2 guy behind BigCuz last year

Why did Toronto trade him? because he was a bust at the 4 position

He played great for us at the #3 position last year when we had even less talent at the 4,5 position

We now have more depth at the 4.5 and what do we do? We play Rudy at the 4

Rudy will defend better at the 3, he will shoot midrange jumpers over smaller SFs all day

Doing this is just Toronto Stupid!

Rudy Gay has definite value as a player. He can be a smooth and effective scorer when he plays within himself and isn't asked to carry a team. In short, for a playoff team that wants more scoring punch from their starting five, he's a fantastic luxury.

But he's not a cornerstone for a rebuilding team trying to get over the hump. He just doesn't do enough beyond scoring (defense, playmaking, consistent outside shooting, hustle, leadership) other than being a decent to good rebounder for a SF.

I don't think the Kings need a #2 scoring option nearly as much as they need outside shooting, defense, consistency and energy.

So yeah, I'd trade Rudy in a heartbeat because I think he could bring back players that would help this particular Kings team (especially with Karl as the coach) more than his scoring ability helps the Kings now.

 

[bajaden]

Why would the team trade straight up when we can sign him? If anything they need to deal Gay in a package.

I think Valde and the powers that be are thinking about this season, not next.

 

[KingMilz]

Been asking for this for years but not for Anderson, if the Kings trade for another quality big they have to move 2k cause WCS won't play otherwise.

 

[Padrino]

Agreed but any system that requires us to scrap our entire team to make it work, when it isn't even a great fit for our best players, is maybe not the best system.

indeed, and especially since the proprietor of said system, george karl, was never likely to be a long-term solution to the kings' seemingly never-ending head coaching carousel. even if karl somehow survives in sacramento past the coming offseason, how much longer can he dedicate himself to the 82-game grind of the nba season? he's 64 (the second-oldest coach in the league behind gregg popovich) with rather serious health issues in his recent past that have tangibly affected both his energy level and his ability to communicate with his team during games. hell, we already know that these issues have forced him to delegate more responsibility to his assistant coaches than he would under ordinary circumstances...

i don't mean to be crass about the man's battle with cancer and his recovery from such a horrible illness, but i wouldn't have considered george karl to be "the answer" for this team even at full health and vigor. if he doesn't have more than a few years left in the tank, why configure your team for his system, particularly given the fact that he wasn't vlade's hire in the first place? it would seem more prudent to plan for his replacement now, while there's still a chance to salvage whatever's left of demarcus cousins' loyalty to this franchise...

 

[bajaden]

I flip Rudy for Ryan Anderson without even thinking about it. The one hitch is the friendship between Rudy and Rondo and if that will affect anything come FA time. But we'll get a jump on Anderson's bird rights with plenty of money to bring both back this off-season. If it works well, there's no reason either wouldn't want to resign.

Belli, Anderson, Casspi and Ben is a stupid amount of floor spacing. Beauty of Anderson is while he's chuck city from 3, he's got the ability to score too. Not just a spot-up shooter.

lest anyone forget, Anderson is from Sacramento and went to college down the road at Cal. Dude could play for us and live at home. Well, I'm sure he has his own home now. Anderson is also a very underrated rebounder. He led Cal in rebounding while there. He also has a post game that he seldom uses, but is there if needed.

 

[funkykingston]

Great graphics and I completely agree with you. The amazing thing about Bazemore is that Atlanta also has his early birds rights. Or we can use the non bird exception where we can give him a 1 year deal without affecting our cap correct?

I think our best bet is to try to pry away Schroeder from them too. However, with this, I'd want us to move on from Rondo and have Schroeder as the PG of the future. He's been very vocal about wanting to lead his own team. This puts a bit of pressure on Atlanta to trade him. I'd even include Collison if that's what it would take. Not retaining Rondo gives us lots of room to work in FA.

If Bazemore wants to stay, and I'm right about the non-bird exception, FA can be huge for us.

Schroeder, Collison,
Bazemore, Belinelli, McLemore
Barnes, Casspi
WCS, Leonard
Cousins, Kofus

Or we can after Batum, Fournier, Anderson, and etc. Not spending FA money on Rondo gives us tons of other options for other players.

Yes, the Hawks have Bazemore's Early Bird Rights but with the cap going up I'd be shocked if his next contract didn't exceed the median contract level (and obviously 175% of his current pay) so the Hawks (or whoever has his rights at the end of the season) will almost certainly have to use cap room to sign him.

I liked Schroeder a lot coming out of the draft and I think he can still be a quality starting PG in the NBA but (1) he's not there yet (2) if he does get there he'd still only be a small upgrade from Collison (and weaker defensively) and a very similar player and (3) it means moving on from Rondo which Cousins may not accept especially if Rudy is dealt.

Being similar to Collison isn't a horrible thing but my definite preference with PGs is to have the backup be a change of pace to give more versatility in matchups. I don't like the idea of two relatively small and definitely slight, waterbug PGs for the Kings. If Schroeder were the starter I'd want a big, defensive PG (Earl Watson type) backup. If Rondo stays I'd like Curry to be the backup or another strong shooter. Versatility and matchups are always going to be a key.

 

[Bricklayer]

indeed, and especially since the proprietor of said system, george karl, was never likely to be a long-term solution to the kings' seemingly never-ending head coaching carousel. even if karl somehow survives in sacramento past the coming offseason, how much longer can he dedicate himself to the 82-game grind of the nba season? he's 64 (the second-oldest coach in the league behind gregg popovich) with rather serious health issues in his recent past that have tangibly affected both his energy level and his ability to communicate with his team during games. hell, we already know that these issues have forced him to delegate more responsibility to his assistant coaches than he would under ordinary circumstances...

i don't mean to be crass about the man's battle with cancer and his recovery from such a horrible illness, but i wouldn't have considered george karl to be "the answer" for this team even at full health and vigor. if he doesn't have more than a few years left in the tank, why configure your team for his system, particularly given the fact that he wasn't vlade's hire in the first place? it would seem more prudent to plan for his replacement now, while there's still a chance to salvage whatever's left of demarcus cousins' loyalty to this franchise...

Everybody seems to want to fight this, but the obvious conclusion is the playoffs THIS season are the goal. The big goal. And I can't even argue it. Making the playoffs really would be a balm that would fix a lot of problems and least begin toning up the flabby fanbase.

And if it happened, Cuz is ok, Rondo comes back, Karl is back, there's a good crowd in the new building etc., so its a bit of a self-fulfilling mid-term solution in itself.

A lot of people continue to offer up fantasy trades that THEY would do, and that's cool in the offseason, or when you don't know what a team is trying to do/where its going. But I think its been pretty obvious what we are trying to do for some time now, and people just fight it because they don't like it. But there's no point suggesting fantasy trades we will never make (or the other team will never make). If our path is to chase the playoffs with a Cuz/Rondo/3pt shooters and scrappers uptempo Karl team, then the success or failure of the team comes down to executing that plan. Its a plan that can work, worked as long ago as Hakeem in Houston, even without the Rondo factor. But it has to be executed well.

 

[KingMilz]

I flip Rudy for Ryan Anderson without even thinking about it. The one hitch is the friendship between Rudy and Rondo and if that will affect anything come FA time. But we'll get a jump on Anderson's bird rights with plenty of money to bring both back this off-season. If it works well, there's no reason either wouldn't want to resign.

Belli, Anderson, Casspi and Ben is a stupid amount of floor spacing. Beauty of Anderson is while he's chuck city from 3, he's got the ability to score too. Not just a spot-up shooter.

Rondo is not good or valuable enough to be worried about trading Rudy and the impact it has. If either were truly great friends to Cuz they would both actually play defense and not be a 8 games below 500. team.

 

[bajaden]

Could Gay be any worse than McLemore and Belinelli? At least he's got length, better footspeed than Marco and a better understanding of team defense than Ben. The Kings don't have the right pieces. So without shaking up the roster, what else can be done? I think Casspi and WCS as starters would help. Then the options at SG are essentially Darren (to go small ball), Ben, Marco or Rudy. I think I'd opt for Rudy



I have no idea if the Hawks and Blazers would be interested but here's a trade that works under the Cap.

The Kings trade:
Rudy Gay
Darren Collison
Ben McLemore

The Kings receive:
Kent Bazemore
Myers Leonard
Tim Myers
Chris Kaman (who would be waived)

The Hawks trade:
Tiago Splitter
Kent Bazemore

The Hawks receive:
Rudy Gay

The Blazers trade:
Myers Leonard
Tim Myers
Chris Kaman

The Blazers receive:
Tiago Splitter
Darren Collison
Ben McLemore

The Hawks get more scoring punch at the SF, the Blazers get a veteran big man, a real back up PG/6th man and a still young SG prospect.

The Kings get a very solid 3&D SG, a stretch 4/5 and a fringe 3rd PG.

It's a net loss of talent for the Kings but probably a big on court improvement from having a better balanced roster.

C Cousins/Koufos/Moreland
PF Cauley-Stein/Leonard/Acy
SF Casspi/Anderson/Butler
SG Bazemore/Belinelli
PG Rondo/Curry/Myers

I actually like this trade. The only thing I would quibble about is that I think that Leonard is more of a center than a PF, but what the hell, it makes him more versatile. Overall I think you have more complimentry players.

 

[funkykingston]

Cousins/Koufos/Moreland
Cauley-Stein/Anderson/Acy
Casspi/SF to be named later
Bazemore/Belinelli/another wing
Rondo/Curry/3rd PG to be named later

is a pretty nice roster that fits well with Rondo and Boogie's strengths.

And unless Vlade is willing to blow this team up and start over completely I think Cousins and Rondo are the pieces to build around. Cousins because he's the only all-star talent on this roster and Rondo less because he's played (arguably) at a near all-star level and more because I think DeMarcus would blow a gasket if the Kings traded Rajon or let him walk as a FA.

 

[Peter_Gibbons]

Rudy has not lived up to our expectations this year, but he is a better player than Ryan Anderson. Once the new caps kick in, guys half as good as Rudy will be getting close to his current salary. We signed him to a reasonable contract, lets not just get rid of him just to do so.

If we are to trade him, get a young, athletic wing player than can play the 2 and 3. Not sure if it is Karl that wants Anderson, but I would not try to build the team for Karl as we don't know if he'll even be around next year.

 

[IfAt1st]

This is a direct result of Rudy mailing in his effort the past couple weeks - he and Cousins are clearly not on the same page on the court (with the arguments and stares at each other).
Rudy is literally standing still on the floor on defense many plays - doesn't even try to go for a rebound or box out, etc.
His bumbling lately is approaching deliberate levels - he is simply not this bad of basketball player - I think he's been playing badly on purpose to force the issue to trade him.
He's had enough of Cousins, and this is a microcosm of the entire Kings franchise:

Look, guys, we can pretend that all it takes is just one or two more guys in here to make this team take off and become the playoff contender we want, but I'm beginning to see signs that indicate this will never happen as long as Cousins' attitude pervades the franchise.
His whiny, petulant behavior which constantly TALKS about playing hard and getting good enough to make the playoffs, yet his utter inability to see how his failings are causing the very thing he is complaining about, are at clinical levels.
Cousins played so badly in that 1st quarter, he put the Kings in a hole so deep they couldn't come out.
Rudy probably wants out before he gets blamed for this failure. (He's mostly avoided most of the blame so far)

Things behind the curtain obviously have not gone well, and they are dysfunctional and can't get past it.

But this is the story of this team, is it not?
In-fighting, and camps, and creating/breaking alliances, and two-faced-ness, and a bunch of "me" in front of "we".

Divac and Vivek have not fixed the sucking wound the Kings have in coaching/system, and they haven't managed the player's dissatisfaction with what they're doing.
The entire organization and the city and fans, can't simply wait one more year to fire Karl (or *GASP!* - make it work with him, seriously is that so impossible to freaking do?!), and hope to become competitive next year.

They ran out of time.
Apparently not listening to "Cousins' camp" last year allegedly not wanting Karl was the last mistake the franchise could absorb.

It's clear that Cousins is tight with Rondo and Casspi.
Guess who plays Casspi's position?
Cousins can't stand losing to the 3ball. He wants a reliable player to knock down the 3. He's reactionary, so he probably made the demand after last night to management to try to get Anderson, and Rudy was notified and is sick of the crap so he leaked it to "league sources".

This is a last straw that this team will not survive, I fear.
They HAD to make it work with THIS group of players.
Not accomplishing it with this group highly suggests that the problem is not in the magical combination of players to make the magical brew - it's more likely pointing to Cousins as the root of the problem, now.

And to be clear - the problem is that the players for whatever reason, are not playing to their ability levels.
They lack the desire to put forth the effort on a night-to-night basis to win. They would rather point fingers and dodge personal blame for the failures on the court.
If we're being honest - What personality does that sound like?
Actually, it sounds like equal parts Cuz and Karl, ironically.

The main symptom this franchise has had for years is the inability for differing personalities to set aside their egos and work together for the benefit of the team.
That has been the overall dysfunction of the team ever since Demarcus joined it.
Maybe that's a total coincidence that ownership and management acted the exact same way when they couldn't get along with Malone and make it work, who knows?

But if Demarcus can't make it work with Rudy, then it's now clear to me this is an indictment of Demarcus as a teammate more than any of the other flaws it reveals in all involved.

 

[funkykingston]

I actually like this trade. The only thing I would quibble about is that I think that Leonard is more of a center than a PF, but what the hell, it makes him more versatile. Overall I think you have more complimentry players.

Oh I think he is too. And I don't think he and Kosta would work as a tandem on the defensive end because neither can cover most PFs. So essentially you'd have a three man rotation of Cousins/WCS and EITHER Koufos or Leonard depending on matchups with Acy getting spot duty.

That's the tradeoff with stretch 4's - most are giving up something on the other end (exceptions being Draymond Green and to a certain extent - shotblocking at least - Porzingis and Ibaka) and the calculus is whether they are more of a plus than a minus overall. If Cousins gets more touches in the post then I think a stretch four can be invaluable as long as the dude can rebound and post up if teams try to get cute defensively.

I'd prefer Anderson as the stretch 4 but if NO won't take Gay for him then I'm not sure what else the Kings can offer especially when they absolutely must get a starter quality SG if they are going to salvage this season.