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Friday, August 5, 2016

Would Acquiring DeMarcus Cousins Make the Chicago Bulls an Eastern Conference "SuperTeam"?

No doubt!

But are the Chicago Bulls actually working on making it happen? Possibly yes.

The Chicago Bulls are in discussions with the Sacramento Kings about potentially acquiring another unhappy NBA veteran, small forward Rudy Gay, in a three-team deal that would include the Phoenix Suns.

In the potential deal, the Chicago Bulls would have to send Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott to the Phoenix Suns.

The Phoenix Suns would send Brandon Knight to Sacramento.

And the Sacramento Kings would send Rudy Gay to the Chicago Bulls.

The Phoenix Suns have a glut at the guard spots with Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, Leandro Barbosa, Ronnie Price, and 2016 draft pick Tyler Ulis, in addition to Brandon Knight, on the roster.

Despite having a career season statistically, Brandon Knight is making $12.6M this season, and it seems like the Suns want more playing time for Devin Booker, who showed a lot in his rookie season. The Suns also lack quality front court depth, so getting Taj Gibson, a quality starter at the power forward on a reasonable salary, would be worth giving up Knight for.

Rudy Gay has been asking to be traded out of Sacramento for months, and the Chicago Bulls, who are gearing up for a run at the championship, would want a player of Gay's caliber, even if it is on the declining side of his atheleticism for two seasons at $13.3M. Because of that, the Bulls might be willing to "pay" the most in trade for Gay.

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But you're not reading this article to find out if the Chicago Bulls can add Rudy Gay to the roster.

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There is no question that not only is Rudy Gay fed up with the dysfunction going on Sacramento, but so is DeMarcus Cousins.

The big man who is currently representing America on Team USA on their way to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, has avoided the press, possibly due to the issue of what he might inadvertently say about the situation in Sacramento.

To add to the dysfunction, the Sacramento Kings essentially drafted two centers in the 2016 NBA Draft, Georgios Papagiannis and Skal Labissiere, after adding center Willie Cauley-Stein in the 2015 NBA Draft.

As of yet, Cousins has not demanded a trade, however during the off-season, his point guard, Rajon Rondo, was allowed to leave in free agency. Rondo lead the NBA in assists per game and helped Cousins average 26.9 PPG last season (4th in the NBA). Cousins really enjoyed playing with Rondo, to say the least.

Now that Rondo has been signed by the Chicago Bulls, could there be something to the rumors of a Rondo-Cousins reunion in Chicago?

The asking price for DeMarcus Cousins will be a high one, with many teams willing to gladly pay it.

But it is standard for players of Cousins' caliber to have a No Trade clause in their contract, in order to have control over where and when they choose to leave their current team.

Just as Carmelo Anthony demanded a trade to New York and only the Knicks, Cousins will be able to decide where and when he leaves Sacramento. However, Cousins will not have maximum leverage to force his way to Chicago until next season (2017-18), which will be the final season of his current contract.

But if Rajon Rondo can convince the big man to join Chicago, then DeMarcus Cousins will be on his way to Chicago.

What do you think of the Chicago Bulls potentially adding DeMarcus Cousins to this talented team either this season or next? Would the Chicago Bulls be a lock to win the NBA Championship if they add DeMarcus Cousins? Tell us what you think in the comments below!