What would you do?

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Or offer JV + Ross + picks for Cousins.

Cousins reminds me of a C/PF version of Maggette - he pads his stats on a crappy team, without really making the team better. He's also a complete head case.

Frankly, I'd rather have JV for the long-term. Looking at some advanced stats show that JV is already capable of holding his own, with the potential to equal or even surpass what Cousins brings to the table (given equal opportunity). Here are stats from Basketball Reference (http://bkref.com/tiny/Mx8Sl) using C/PF playing a minimum of 25 MPG, with Valanciunas' rank referenced:

PER - #6 of 19 (Cousins, Gasol, Vucevic, Horford, Chandler)

ORTG - #3 of 19 (Chandler, Jordan) -- Cousins is #15

OWS - #4 of 19 (Chandler, Jordan, Gasol) -- Cousins is #8

WS - #5 of 19 (Chandler, Jordan, Gasol, Horford) -- Cousins is #10

WS/48 - #3 of 19 (Chandler, Jordan) -- Cousins is #6

MP per game - #16 of 19 (only Asik, Mozgov and Hibbert average less) -- Cousins is #1

TOV% - #7 of 19 (Jefferson, Horford, Pekovic, Drummond, B. Lopez, Vucevic) -- Cousins is #17


Not only is a straight-up trade debatable, but the suggestion of including Ross (young and talented 3&D player) and a 1st round pick in addition to JV, makes this a terrible idea.

I agree that Cousins is the better player at the moment. However, he's not a significant upgrade, he's a me-first type player, he's older and has far less untapped potential. Pass.

[white men can't jump]

If Boogie or Vucevic were on this team they'd be ou #1 option too. No?

Boogie...maybe...maybe not. He turns it over like crazy and may never have been allowed to be used so much if in an environment that stressed accountability and cutting down mistakes. Would he be used more than Jonas? Probably. First option? Not sure. Would depend on how long it would take him to start limiting his mistakes.

Vuc I seriously doubt. Not even sure he'd be a top 3 option. I doubt he would've gotten the reps needed to improve as a post player if in Toronto, just like Jonas. Vuc was not a good post player coming into the league and it's something he's had a huge amount of freedom in working on in Orlando. If he were playing for us, can't imagine he'd get those reps, especially with his jumpshot. Casey would probably have him in a stretch 5 role.

[Cody73]

Bruno might never be ready to play in the NBA. Don't let your hopes up about the guy.

As for Ross, he's EASILY replaceable.

But we don't have any space to sign anyone.

I get where you're coming from, but what would you rather? A team like the Lakers or the Spurs?

[The Great One]

Actually it's because there was close to zero offensive talent on those teams and they knew they were going to be bad, so they just keep feeding their young bigs.

If Boogie or Vucevic were on this team they'd be ou #1 option too. No?

[The Great One]

Bruno might never be ready to play in the NBA. Don't let your hopes up about the guy.

As for Ross, he's EASILY replaceable.

[white men can't jump]

There's a reason why Vucevic and Cousins are the #1 options on their team. There's a reason JV is not. And no it's not about Casey.

Actually it's because there was close to zero offensive talent on those teams and they knew they were going to be bad, so they just keep feeding their young bigs.

[Cody73]

I agree. Just like Bosh right? he wins you games. But why settle for that if you can get the BEST in the game. The guy who can lead you to the promise land.

Because we hurt our weakest position even more.

Without Ross, JJ starts. Who backs him up? I said it once, and I will say it again.

Bruno is nowhere near ready to play just yet.

Fields has no shot... yes, he can play D. But that weakens the bench tremendously, which will result in us losing games.

Rather have depth everywhere than a elite player anyday.

[white men can't jump]

@ TRex

Ignoring the JV vs Cousins angle....

I just don't like the idea of getting a guy who's a total headcase, and who frankly, has had the luxury of stat-padding his whole career without ever being held accountable for his mistakes at all. He's a terrible leader, both vocally and by example. He just does not have the mental makeup I'd want from a superstar talent. Completely undisciplined egomaniac. He's a lot like a young Zach Randolph to me, and Randolph was so close to washing out of the league before he landed in Memphis.

If you want to gut some assets to chase a young big man that you think is better than JV...fine, there's some merit to that...but I think you're overestimating a guy who's only proven he can put up monster numbers in a consequence-free environment. He might snap out of being a moron one day, but I'm totally cool with NOT being the team to roll the dice on that happening. And after Cousins, there aren't that many guys who have upsides better than Jonas', especially when you include mentality and potential injury concerns.

I realize a guy can't win on his own, but Sacto hasn't even been remotely respectable with Cousins. And yes, the franchise is a mess, but still, they've been absolutely terrible with no signs of improving as a team since getting him, even with the talent level improving over that time. *EDIT: Just to add that a dominant big man alone can basically make a team respectable...see the Pelicans right now...decent roster, but they're total crap without Davis, who makes them a good team pretty much all on his own.

[The Great One]

Yes. Place Vucevic on a good team and he's winning you games. We can get that in JV. We just need to play him.

I agree. Just like Bosh right? he wins you games. But why settle for that if you can get the BEST in the game. The guy who can lead you to the promise land.

[The Great One]

Both of those guys have the benefit of being the number 1 or 2 options on their team, with a team that plays inside out. JV is going to be a monster, has no attitude issues, and one the calls start coming more frequently will be averaging nearly 10 freethrows a game. Call me on it if I'm wrong. But he had it in him. Top 5 center in 3 years or less.

There's a reason why Vucevic and Cousins are the #1 options on their team. There's a reason JV is not. And no it's not about Casey.

[Cody73]

Both of those guys have the benefit of being the number 1 or 2 options on their team, with a team that plays inside out. JV is going to be a monster, has no attitude issues, and one the calls start coming more frequently will be averaging nearly 10 freethrows a game. Call me on it if I'm wrong. But he had it in him. Top 5 center in 3 years or less.

Thank you for backing me here. I agree 100%.

[Cody73]

So you're saying Vucevic is just as good/effective as Cousins? ok i'm out.

JV would be lucky to be half as good as Vucecic. Btw, Cousins is only 24. He's going to get better.

Yes. Place Vucevic on a good team and he's winning you games. We can get that in JV. We just need to play him.

Sheesh, you act like JV is Alabi.

[breakin_ankles]

So you're saying Vucevic is just as good/effective as Cousins? ok i'm out.

JV would be lucky to be half as good as Vucecic. Btw, Cousins is only 24. He's going to get better.

Both of those guys have the benefit of being the number 1 or 2 options on their team, with a team that plays inside out. JV is going to be a monster, has no attitude issues, and one the calls start coming more frequently will be averaging nearly 10 freethrows a game. Call me on it if I'm wrong. But he had it in him. Top 5 center in 3 years or less.

[The Great One]

You act like Ross can help net DC. I'm not sure the Kings would want him. With young guys at SG in Nik Stuaskas and mclemore, Ross becomes a 3. As a 3, Ross isn't much. WE KNOW THAT. At least, we should. Where else has he played this year?

I get Cousins is a elite player, but I think his attitude could cause issues here. He wants to be a leader. We have one in Lowry.

Plus, Valanciunas is just starting to show glimpses of what he can do. He soon could give Boogie a run for his money in talks. Look at Vucevic or the Gasols. That's who JV can be... and you know what? It's just as effective as Boogie's game.

Plus, the trade hinders the bench and our depth at the 3 spot even more. Who backups JJ? Fields?

So you're saying Vucevic is just as good/effective as Cousins? ok i'm out.

JV would be lucky to be half as good as Vucecic. Btw, Cousins is only 24. He's going to get better.

[breakin_ankles]

That's all you got? meh? c'mon you know not trading JV and Ross for Cousins is beyond stupid. Unless you think JV is the second coming of Wilt lol

JV is going to be a beast in the coming year or two... Depends on the coach. Like just getting the respect of officials is going to be a massive impact on his game.
I think JV will be one of the top 5 centres in this league in under 3 years.