NBA Rumors: Kings Ready To Move On From DeMarcus Cousins?
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Sacramento Kings came into the 2015-16 NBA season with high hopes of finally turning things around. The team was able to sign veteran point guard Rajon Rondo to pair with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, and many believed the team could make the playoffs even in a highly competitive Western Conference.
Although the Kings had a shot to make the postseason in the West, Sacramento failed to make the cut and was on the outside looking in once again this year. In the aftermath of another losing season, and the recent firing of head coach George Karl, the Kings brass may be ready to shake things up.
According to Ailene Voisin of The Sacramento Bee, Cousins could be traded this summer:
A year ago, Cousins was untouchable. A year later, the sense within the organization is Divac is tempted by the prospect of pairing his center with his personally selected coach but that he has become increasingly frustrated by his center’s ongoing issues and, for the first time, is willing to test the market for the two-time All-Star.
It seems as though General Manager Vlade Divac may have finally come to terms with the fact that the franchise hasn’t gotten any further along from refusing to trade Cousins to the Los Angeles Lakers last year.
Cousins has become a locker room cancer in Sacramento with some of his teammates complaining about his moodiness and lack of respect for others this year, via Voisin:
Apart from Rondo, Cousins has few friends among his teammates. Several players privately have complained to management about his mood swings and disrespect for those around him, including his coaches and in particular Karl.
With the Kings potentially being open to trading Cousins, the rumors will begin to swirl around the league once again with the Lakers possibly a trade candidate. Los Angeles desperately needs a proven star player to build around, and Cousins fits the bill even if he’s difficult to deal with.
Along with the Lakers possibly showing interest in trading for Cousins, it’ll be interesting to see what other teams reach out with a trade offer. Cousins will be a hot commodity and his status with the Kings may dominate the headlines in the NBA yet again this summer.
