There've been trade rumors about the Sacramento Kings moving DeMarcus Cousins after the hiring of coach George Karl, but a new report indicates it's unlikely the All-Star center is dealt any time soon.
When Karl came into the picture for the Kings, reports began to surface about Cousins being opposed to the hiring. Once Sacramento made the hiring official, speculation grew about the Kings trading Cousins because he's not a traditional fit in Karl's up-tempo offense. Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler, though, doesn't see any trade involving Cousins happening.
"I don't think the Kings consider anything with DeMarcus Cousins name on it," Kyler wrote Monday. "He is not unhappy, they are not unhappy and the George Karl experiment is just getting started."
It's yet to be seen how the dominant personalities of Cousins and Karl will mesh in the long run. It's always possible Cousins, who called this season a "complete circus," may become frustrated by not being the focal point of Karl's offense and go as far as asking for a trade.
As for the Kings, according to Bleacher Report's Howard Beck, they at least entertained the idea of trading Cousins before this season's Feb. 19 deadline.
"Even DeMarcus Cousins, their franchise center, is not untouchable, according to a source with insight into Karl's thinking," Beck wrote on Feb. 26. "'At the trade deadline, everyone was available,' the person said. Including Cousins? 'Every single person (on the Kings roster) was available.' Although Karl does not hold a front office title, 'he definitely has control' of future personnel decisions, the source said."
Beck's report went on to say Karl's first major move as head coach may be trying to reunite with Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson, who reportedly is likely to ask for a trade if Denver undergoes a complete rebuild.
"George Karl's first power move as Sacramento Kings coach was to trade for Andre Miller, a trusted old hand from his Denver days. Expect more of the same this summer," Beck wrote. "Sources say Karl would love to acquire Ty Lawson-if the rebuilding Nuggets were to make him available-or any other members of his last Nuggets team, which won 57 games in 2012-13."
