Sacramento Kings coach George Karl didn't do anything to quell the trade rumors surrounding DeMarcus Cousins on Monday, when the first-year Kings coach told reporters no player is untradeable. Cousins, whom some NBA analysts don't see as being a fit in Karl's system, reportedly has - at least at one point - drawn interest from the Boston Celtics.
Reports have have indicated Cousins could be had for the right price, and on Monday Karl said nothing to suggest the All-Star center was a part of the Kings' long-term plans.
"I've had some great players and I've never had one player that I have said is untradeable," Karl said, via CSN Bay Area. "You always got to be ready for the possibility of a great trade that could come your way.
"I know I respect him (Cousins) a tremendous amount . . . I think our give and take and our communication has been almost on a daily basis . . . until we can really get to a special place together, I think we've got to continue to communicate, what he wants and what I want."
A report in February from Bleacher Report indicated Cousins, along with every other player on the Kings' roster, had been available up until the trade deadline. The two biggest things seemingly working against Cousins staying in Sacramento are one, Karl's up-tempo offense hasn't traditionally used a low-post center of Cousins's caliber, and two, many expect the personalities of Karl and Cousins to clash.
Bulls.com's Sam Smith and Grantland's Zach Lowe both have said the Celtics are interested in acquiring Cousins, if he became available. Smith reported Boston had explored a trade for Cousins prior to the Feb. 19 deadline, and Lowe reported the Celtics top two free-agent targets this summer were Cousins and Kevin Love.
