Cousins’ baggage may reduce his trade value
Big man’s recent outbursts, high salary make it tough for Sacramento to trade him
No matter what the feeling is about DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings, things are never boring where he is concerned. Take the last week or so. Cousins has: Blasted a local Sacramento columnist in a profanity-laced outburst because the writer had the temerity to mention the King’s brother being arrested in an earlier incident while writing about Cousins and teammates being involved in a bar scuffle in New York.
Offered a weak apology for that incident, mentioning fans, teammates, the Kings organization — everyone except the writer, who was simply doing his job.
Poured in 55 points in a win over Portland.
Been ejected from that same game when he spat out his mouthpiece, picking up a second technical foul.
Had that ejection taken back, and been summoned back to the court from the locker room when officials withdrew the technical.
Done a post-game interview, after that game, in which he complained long and loud about the “ridiculous” ejection/non-ejection.
Had two previous technical fouls rescinded by the league, taking him further away from the threshold of being suspended for an accumulation of the fouls. Heckuva few days. All it has done is add fuel to rampant speculation that the time has come for the Kings to move Cousins, that the atmosphere is too toxic — and has been for too long — for him to develop into the “franchise” type leader they so sorely need.
A trade might be easier said than done, actually. While there is no disputing Cousins’ talents, there is also no disputing he can be a disruptive force.
He’s a 20-point, 10-rebound player who possesses speed, power and quickness that makes him one of the truly elite big men in the game. He also has three-point shooting range and can handle the ball. Cousins would seem to be the prototypical 2017 big man. But . . . is it worth it? It’s not like Cousins is a young player still learning what it takes to be a pro and how to act as an NBA player. He’s 26 years old and in his seventh NBA season; it’s hard for some to see how he could change at this point in his life and career.
And it’s not like he’s shown the ability to lead a marginally talented team to much more than mediocrity; he has yet to appear in a post-season game.
Cousins is also going to be expensive: He is owed $18 million (U.S.) next season and in line for a new deal that will start in the mid- to high-$20 million range given the economics of the moment.
All that has led several NBA general managers — at least according to a story this week in Bleacher Report — to suggest they would shy away from acquiring him.
Cousins would seem to be one of those unique players who might not be worth the trouble despite his undeniable talent.
But if things keep going poorly in Sacramento — and there’s really nothing to indicate stability or improvement is coming any time soon — the Kings may have to take10 cents on the dollar in some transaction, and find some general manager who thinks his team’s “culture” can absorb a character as historically disruptive as Cousins, before something gets done.
It will, however, be an enduring NBA story.