This year’s NBA trade deadline was an incredibly eventful one with the biggest name moved being big man DeMarcus Cousins who was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. Before agreeing to a deal with the Pelicans, however, the Kings had discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Discussions between the Lakers and the Kings reportedly broke down at the Kings insistence on including prized rookie Brandon Ingram, but apparently, there was more to the offer. Additionally, it seems as if the drama between the Buss family also affected the deal.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the deal discussed with the Kings involved two of the Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle trio, something that was never relayed to Jeanie Buss even though she asked to be involved:
“Jeanie Buss had previously instructed Kupchak and her brother that she was to be consulted if they discussed trades involving any of the Lakers’ three recent lottery picks.