DeMarcus Cousins And Sacramento Kings Have A Complicated Relationship

The first sign toward reconciliation between DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings appears to be at hand. After a shocking statement released by Kings head coach Paul Westphal seemed to indicate that Cousins could be at the end of the line in his tenure in Sacramento, Cousins rejoined the team and was on the flight with the Kings to Memphis for their game with the Grizzlies.

Nevertheless, this issue appears like it's far from resolved. Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee reports that Cousins denies he ever asked for a trade.

Cousins, in a statement, denied asking to be traded: "I want to address my missing the New Orleans game Sunday. I have not demanded or requested a trade. I don't agree with the actions taken but will give my sincere effort to put it behind me and compete the best I can for my team."

Westphal said Cousins would dress for tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies but he would not start.

Jones did not say whether Cousins will play or not. Being dressed seems to indicate he'll come off the bench and Sacramento will go with Chuck Hayes starting at center while J.J. Hickson or Jason Thompson starts at power forward. Cousins is a pretty potent weapon to bring off the bench, so it's not like the team becomes worse with him not starting, but the Kings will have to adjust as a team and Cousins will have to adjust to new surroundings. This will hopefully be part of the maturation process for the second-year big man.

To discuss Cousins and the Kings, head to Sactown Royalty.

The Sacramento Kings might have had a volatile situation on their hands when DeMarcus Cousins was not only sent home from Sunday's game, but his coach issued a public statement that seemed to indicate they were seriously considering moving forward without him. The Kings center has had his verbal spats with his head coach, which could cause chemistry issues, and has apparently asked for trades on multiple occasions. It's hardly a healthy situation.

So this has to be a good sign for his future in Sacramento.

This could seem to support the idea that Cousins was sent home from the Kings to try and send a message to him that his current attitude is not acceptable for the franchise. Cousins needs to perform better and become a stronger person in the locker room if he's expected to be a guy the team counts on in the future. The Kings center is too talented to just be let go because he doesn't agree with the way things are going, and Sacramento has too much to lose by dealing him. The team must learn to deal with Cousins properly.

To discuss the situation regarding Cousins and the Kings, head to Sactown Royalty.

The Sacramento Kings are clearly involved in a tense situation with their promising young big man, as DeMarcus Cousins was sent home from Sunday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets. Cousins apparently demanded a trade, and Paul Westphal figured it was time to send a message to his young rookie.

While this might suggest Westphal is losing his grip on the team, it's clear that management stands right behind their head coach on this decision.

However, there are multiple conflicting reports about how serious Cousins is about his trade demands. Cousins has been considered to be an immature player, and the trade demand could have been made in jest. The organization also doesn't seem seriously interested in dealing one of their most talented players.

It would indeed be rather hasty for the Kings to decide to deal Cousins. This is likely Sacramento trying to be firm in disciplining the big man to try and avoid future headaches. There is really no one Petrie could make a deal for anyway to try and make up for the loss of a player like Cousins. Try and get the situation settled before things deteriorate out of control.

Although it seems like the situation is already in a bad, bad place.

To discuss Cousins and the Kings, head to Sactown Royalty.