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NBA: Battle for the Final Spot in the Western Conference

By Drew Clark

Nov 11, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after scoring a basket over Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts after scoring a basket over Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) in the second half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) high fives forward Rudy Gay (8) after a basket against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) high fives forward Rudy Gay (8) after a basket against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Sacramento Kings (15-20, 8th in Western Conference)

To keep or trade Boogie? That has been the age old question for a few years. Now, all of a sudden they find themselves with a chance to make the playoffs. It would be huge for the organization to get to the playoffs in the first year of their new arena. It’d give fans some sense of hope even if they get dismantled in the first round.

DeMarcus Cousins is, once again, having a phenomenal season. His rebound numbers are down from 11.5 to 10.0, but is averaging 29 points per game, up from last year’s career high of 26.9. A near 30 and 10 guy is perfect to lead a playoff charge.

The pieces around him leave a lot to be desired. Rudy Gay brings another scoring threat to the table, averaging 18.5 ppg, and Darren Collison is a formidable point guard. Outside of that, they have a cluster of guys that average at least 16 minutes per game, scoring about 6 ppg. That can be hard to count on night-in and night-out, but with Cousins, the Kings can get by.

The front office executives in Sacramento have a decision to make, whether to be buyers or sellers. Early season rumors had Gay potentially being traded to Oklahoma City or Miami. He has a player option for next season, which means the trade talks are logical. Especially after he said it was like being in basketball hell.

If Gay is traded, Boogie should be moved shortly after. There’s no sense in keeping one, and not both even with Cousins having another controllable year on his contract. It remains to be seen if this team can compete like it has through its first 34 games. I would not bet on them judging by their recent history.

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