After the initial buzz from the DeMarcus Cousins trade, things started to settle down and people started to analyze the trade – most deeming it a major loss for the Kings.
One measure we always like to make a reality check is with the unbiased opinion of the virtual world. In NBA 2K17, you can make trade offers just like this one and the teams will give you a response based on what you offer. In this case, we decided to test both sides.
We offered the deal from the perspective of the Kings and the Pelicans and these were the results.
Pelicans Perspective
After removing a couple players from the Kings’ roster to make the move possible, we set up the trade as it has been reported so far. It looked like this:
To that, the Kings GM had this to say:
“DeMarcus Cousins is someone we consider untouchable. The only way I accept a trade for him is if I’m blow away and this one doesn’t do that.”
Considering Cousins is one of the highest rated players in the game and is only 26 years old, so it’s not surprising that an unbiased GM is hesitant to move such a crucial piece. He’s not wrong to want a trade that would blow him away and we have to agree that this one definitely does not do that, in the game or real life.
Kings Perspective
With the same set up, we also set through the trade from the Kings to the Pelicans.
Oddly enough, they said no. However, the GM did send through another, similar offer and the deal was done.
We have to assume they didn’t do it initially because they already have a franchise player at center, but clearly the real life Pelicans have no issue with that.
