DeMarcus Cousins is moving to the Big Easy!
For the last few seasons, the one thing that could be counted on was that DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors would eventually surface and stick around at least until after the trade deadline passed. This year was no different. As the trade deadline approached the rumors intensified but the Sacramento Kings seemed to put them to bed when general manager Vlade Divac said Cousins was not going to be traded.
But apparently, he was only kidding. Sunday evening the news broke that the Kings had indeed traded Cousins and Omri Casspi to the new orleans Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and its 2017 first-round and second-round picks.
With the amount of trouble he has caused on and off the court, it has never been a surprise when Cousins’ name came up in trade talks. This season has been no different. He set the record earlier this season when he collected his 16th technical foul (which requires a one-game suspension). No one has received 16 technicals as fast as him.
But when he just plays basketball and doesn’t do anything questionable, he is an incredible asset; the kind you don’t want to let go.
So why let Boogie go now?
However, when it comes down to it, if the team is not winning games, something needs to change. Despite his talent, DeMarcus Cousins had been unable to lead the Kings to the postseason since he was drafted in 2010.
They tried changing head coaches (five times), general managers (three times), and several different teammates.
But the result was always the same, which meant it was time for the only constant to change—Cousins had to go. "It was time for a change, and I decided this was the best direction for the organization," Kings general manager Vlade Divac said in a statement issued Monday (ESPN).
"Winning begins with culture and character matters…”
The Kings had to release Matt Barnes to create roster space and hope to move a few more moves before the trade deadline. They have let other teams know that Darren Collison, Arron Afflalo, and Ben McLemore are available. Sacramento was 1.5 games back of the Denver Nuggets for the No.
8 seed in the Western Conference heading into the All-Star break. Without Cousins, it is hard to imagine they will be able to overcome the deficit.
Cousins could still make his first trip to the postseason if he and Anthony Davis can get on the same page quickly. The New Orleans Pelicans are only 2.5 games back of the Nuggets. #NBA Trades
