DeMarcus Cousins was back in the news last week and, not surprisingly, it involved a disciplinary issue. The mercurial Kings big man received a one-game suspension from the team following a verbal tirade directed at head coach George Karl. Cousins then complained that Karl was responsible for the suspension, not the front office.
Cousins’ relationship with the coach has been volatile since Karl took over during the middle of last season. It hasn’t gotten any better this season as Sacramento has fallen out of the playoff race over the past six weeks. Cousins recently aired some his grievances to Yahoo Sports’ Marc J. Spears, complaining that there’s “a lot of chaos” and “extra unnecessary stuff” going on in the organization.
Of course, Cousins’ hot temper often rubs officials the wrong way as well. He leads the league with 15 technical fouls and has also received an ejection.
It’s been widely speculated that Karl won’t return next season, but that doesn’t mean Cousins will get along with his potential replacement. However, Nuggets coach and former Kings head man Michael Malone recently said it’s possible to coexist with Cousins by using as a no-nonsense approach.
“I was real with him, I was honest with him, I coached him, I disciplined him, I held him accountable,” Malone told Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post. “I never tried to be his buddy. I never tried to coach around him.”
No one questions Cousins’ talent. In his sixth NBA season, the 25-year-old is averaging a career-high 27.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. With a dearth of quality centers in the league, Cousins would certainly draw plenty of interest if the Kings decided to move him. The Kings could get plenty in return for him, despite all the baggage.
Any possible suitor would have to determine whether Cousins would thrive in another environment, or whether his abrasive personality would lead to locker room strife anywhere he goes.
This leads us to our question of the day: Will the Kings trade DeMarcus Cousins this summer? If so, where do you think he’ll end up?
Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.
Personally I think he will stay. The only teams that has the pieces to get him are the lakers and Celtics. The lakers have a history of having dirty players like old Metta world peace back in 2010-2011, also they have young players that have potenial and the have future draft picks. Also the Celtics have 3 picks this summer in the first round and they have depth on their team but I cant see them trading Marcus Smart and all the picks for just Demarcus who is crazy on the court.
I know it’s not fair value, but I would only give up one of russel, clarkson, Randle, or the draft pick for boogie. He causes too much trouble behind the scenes.
Maybe add nance to one of the mention above… Big maybe
I understand the reasons for hesitation with Cousins, but if that’s all the Lakers are going to offer they’ll probably be outbid. Do you think top-level free agents would be more enticed to sign with L.A. because of the young core they have now or because of a world-class talent like Cousins?
Cousins’ instability, or immaturity, is the only reason he’s available. He could turn the Celtics into the most dangerous team in the East, and I think Brad Stevens is the kind of coach who could command his respect.
My feeling is that Boston will come hard, if not the hardest, for Boogie. They have plenty of players and picks to make a deal.
Ainge has been seeking a star to headline his versatile roster. Wouldn’t be shocked if Cousins is the player he targets, if he thinks Stevens can coexist with Cousins.
I agree that the Celtics are the team to watch. This is why some franchises stockpile young players and draft picks. So they have the ammunition to make a trade when a star becomes available.
As a Kings fan, I think Vladi should trade Cousins to Denver (where he can rejoin Michael Malone) for Kenneth Faried, Emmanuel Mudiay, and a 1st round draft pick.
We know one thing regarding the Nuggets: Malone isn’t afraid of dealing with Cousins.
Harris, W. Barton, Faried, Jokic, 1st Rd. Pick for Cousins, Belinelli, Mclemore
Gotta think my Celtics go hard after him. By the summer we will have more clarity as we will have drafted 3 players in the 1st round or packaged the picks on draft night to either move up or get a star if there is one available. If Cousins can’t coexist with Brad Stevens then he can’t coexist with any coach. Brad seems to squeeze every last drop of talent out of his players and make different rotations work. The only semi-disgruntled player we had was Lee and he’s gone. I’ll take Boogie although I’d love to see what Smart develops into in year 3. He’s an unknown at this point only showing flashes of brilliance.
What sort of coach and locker room climate are good matches for Boogie?
A veteran one, with a leader already in place, Denver does not have that at ALL but it has a coach that Cousins got along with, now Boogie gets a bad rap, if you listen to Mike Malone talk about him and if you really listen to Boogie (when hes not mad) he’s just sick of losing! He is as fierce a competitor as Harden or Durant or Westbrook or any Superstar. He wants the ball and wants to dominate on every possession. No big man has been like that since Shaq! If any of these other stars had 5 different head coaches and NO roster stability and never made the playoffs in 7 years they wud be pissed to. Now does Boogie have some anger issues and stuff, yes he does, but I dont think its as bad as people make it out to be. It’s just compounded and multiplied by the horrible team and organization that is the Sac Kings. I hope the Lakers get him of course cause I bleed purple n gold
He’s exactly what the Lakers need, a relatively young star to build around. L.A. hasn’t been able to get that kind of player through free agency, so they should jump on Cousins if he is available. How much would you increase the offer that the Lakers reportedly made last offseason?
He’s not getting traded.
Divac and Karl will get fired. A new Front office will come on board, they’ll proclaim Boogie is the cornerstone, attempt to surround him with whatever, it doesn’t go well, and RINSE-REPEAT we have the Cleveland Browns of the NBA.
Imagine the Browns if Johnny Manziel had turned out to be a star instead of a bust. Do you keep your flawed star or get rid of him and try to win with what you have left? The Kings are paying the price for not putting better pieces around Cousins earlier in his career.
Dallas or Atlanta
Mark Cuban would love him, and would be willing to take the risk. But do you think Dallas has enough to offer in a trade?