"CBS Sports" said : Inability to trade for DeMarcus Cousins reportedly helped lead to Lakers firings

Whether or not Cousins would have really made the Lakers into a playoff team is up for debate, but clearly Jeanie Buss wanted that type of move to happen. The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly were also in the bidding for Cousins and perhaps could've offered more, but their refusal to include rookie Brandon Ingram ended any possible trade discussion with Sacramento. According to USA Today's Sam Amick, not getting Cousins was the last straw for Buss and Kupchak:Going after DeMarcus Cousins was Jim & Mitch's last-ditch attempt to save their jobs, I'm told. And while not including Ingram may be a smart long-term approach by the Lakers, in the short-term this decision reportedly hastened the firing of Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak and the promotion of Magic Johnson . Jim really wanted him, Mitch handled talks — Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 21, 2017 Jeanie is done w/ Lakers' inability to get stars in Laker Land, & she had always seemed convinced Cousins could calm down in their setting.


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Why DeMarcus Cousins isn't domino for Carmelo trade

As for the Cousins trade, former Nets — and Lakers and Hornets and Cavs — coach Byron Scott on ESPN Monday raved about the deal. Right before the All-Star break, an NBA executive speculated about possible, even if unrealistic, trade scenarios for the Knicks and Carmelo Anthony. "The only thing is once a big domino falls, people get more aggressive and start to talk."SEE ALSO Why Knicks likely will strike out on each Carmelo trade 0:0 NEW ORLEANS — Knicks general manager Steve Mills was in... Davis may play the five, but he goes out on the perimeter, and Cousins doesn't go near the paint. "They got rid of DeMarcus Cousins."So might this have any effect on Anthony and his situation?


"@PelicansNBA introduce @boogiecousins - LIVE NOW on NBA TV & https://t.co/j96yE6Mted pic.twitter.com/yXaYdjTFbE -- NBA TV (@NBATV) February 22, 2017Cousins said he was disappointed initially when he learned of the trade. NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins said the proximity of his family in Coastal Alabama would make his move from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans easier. "@boogiecousins on playing with @AntDavis23 pic.twitter.com/QZ2rHwqAJB -- NBA TV (@NBATV) February 22, 2017When asked how competitive he was, Cousins answered: "About 17 technicals worth." pic.twitter.com/YijikCIqYL -- Tercer Equipo NBA (@NBATercerEquipo) February 22, 2017Cousins leads the NBA in technical fouls this season. Cousins was in his seventh season with Sacramento since the Kings selected him out of Kentucky with the fifth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.