Recent rumors have emerged that the Los Angeles Lakers could trade the second overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft to the Sacramento Kings for its franchise big man DeMarcus Cousins.

This is not the first time the Lakers and Cousins are involved in a trade rumor as the 25-year-old center was allegedly close to joining the Hollywood squad last summer.

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The said deal would have sent Julius Randle and LA's no. 2 pick, who eventually became D'Angelo Russell, to Sacramento for Cousins, but Kings vice president and general manager Vlade Divac turned it down with the blessings of team owner Vivek Ranadive.

It was rumored that former head coach George Karl initiated the failed trade, but Divac and Ranadive intervened to retain their two-time NBA All-Star.

Now, with Karl already fired and the team again enduring another playoff-less, disappointing season, the Kings were said to be ready to move on without their prized center.

Inquisitr indicated that the Lakers are not convinced in adding either Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram to their roster next season as they already have a formidable young core of Randle, Russell, and Jordan Clarkson moving forward.

General manager Mitch Kupchak allegedly wants to "expedite the rebuilding process" and is aiming to "add talented ascending veterans to their roster," the Orange County Register reported. However, the LA management does not want to "compromise their young core" to achieve their offseason goals "because of its potential talent and longevity".

On the whole, it might take more than the no. 2 pick to make the Kings satisfied in letting go of Cousins as Sacramento may also demand either one of Randle, Russell, or Clarkson to be included in any potential package.

The real question, though, is whether the Lakers are ready to release one or two of their young guns for a mercurial player whose attitude and winning resolve remains doubtful after six seasons in the pros.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, Lakers Trade Rumors, Los Angeles Lakers, DeMarcus Cousins, sacramento kings