Report: Kings willing to trade Nik Stauskas to upgrade frontcourt
The Sacramento Kings are open to discussing rookie guard Nik Stauskas in potential trades to land a frontcourt player to complement DeMarcus Cousins, according to a report from Ken Berger of CBSSports.
The Kings selected Stauskas with the No. 8 pick in the 2014 draft out of Michigan, where he established himself as one of the top shooters in the nation.
Over 38 games, the 6-foot-6 guard has averaged 3.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists while shooting 33.3 percent from the field and 27.2 percent from three-point range.
Cousins, a 6-foot-11, 270-pound center, has posted career-high averages in points (24.2) and rebounds (12.4) this season.
Berger characterized the Kings as "determined" to upgrade their frontcourt.
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From the report:
The Kings want to pair Cousins with a frontline player who would fit with his post-up skills -- either a stretch four or above-the-rim defender, sources said. They've fielded numerous calls about Stauskas, whose opportunities have been limited with the steadily improving play of Ben McLemore.
Sacramento thus far has rebuffed teams inquiring about Stauskas, the sharpshooter from Michigan whom they selected with the eighth overall pick in the draft. But the Kings' motivation to put a "high-level" player next to Cousins on the front line has heightened, making them finally willing to include Stauskas in trade talks.
Berger notes that the Kings are also trying to move forward Jason Thompson, who has "long been available" in trade discussions, the report says.
Sacramento fired Mike Malone in December after opening the season 11-13.
Under Ty Corbin, who will remain the Kings' coach for the rest of the season, the team has slipped to 16-22 and is now 5.5 games back of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.
The Kings host the Miami Heat (17-22) on Friday.
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