The Miami Heat are on the verge of a rebuild and in light of the Dwyane Wade exit, the Pat Riley team is said to be eager to get their hands on a DeMarcus Cousins trade. However, it looks like the Goran Dragic squad might face yet another issue with the entry of the Sacramento Kings star. While a DeMarcus Cousins trade to the Miami Heat could be the best option for both parties, it appears that Hassan Whiteside is taking issue with the move.
The exit of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, as well as the possible release of Chris Bosh, made Hassan Whiteside the alpha in the Miami Heat roster. At this point, the Justise Winslow squad is looking into making the big man the face of the franchise - a move that reportedly sent D-Wade packing to the Chicago Bulls. However, it seems that this plan might not go on smoothly as a DeMarcus Cousins trade could halt the coronation of Hassan Whiteside as the king of the Miami Heat locker room.
Fresh off his success at the 2016 Rio Olympics, NBA trade rumors are what welcomed DeMarcus Cousins in the United States. With the Sacramento Kings' future looking bleaker by the day, the center is expected to seek trades this offseason. Should this not pan out, DeMarcus Cousins is anticipated to leave the team via free agency.
"They're fooling themselves if they think he's sticking around," shared one league executive of the future of DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings. He added, "The good news for them is his value will always be high. There isn't a point of no return in which you're not getting high value for him. Teams will bid against each other in the trade market. Maybe [Cousins] doesn't go for the biggest money in free agency but you'd love to have that card to play."
Throughout his career in the NBA, DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors have hounded the Sacramento Kings leader. With the exit of Rajon Rondo from the team and the impending Rudy Gay trade, the big man is anticipated to make his move as well. Among the teams gunning to sit down at the negotiating table with the Sacramento Kings star, the Miami Heat are said to be the most aggressive.
However, rumors are rife that a DeMarcus Cousins trade to the Miami Heat will only trigger a feud with Hassan Whiteside. With the Sacramento Kings star used to being the leader of the team, it would be quite an adjustment for the former D-league player to hand over the throne. Does this mean that the Miami Heat will no longer pursue a DeMarcus Cousins trade to avoid the drama with Hassan Whiteside?
The answer remains uncertain. At this point, no official comment has been given by any of the parties involved. The Sacramento Kings are still expected to build a roster around DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are said to be looking at potential basketball stars to support Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic in the lineup.
What do you think? Should the Miami Heat target a DeMarcus Cousins trade? Or should they simply concentrate on improving Hassan Whiteside as a replacement star for Dwyane Wade?
