DeMarcus Cousins Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Kings Star

Another year, another series of DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors. The Sacramento Kings are once again reportedly interested in trading their star center, though executives around the league are not convinced they will pull the trigger. 

Continue for updates.

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Cousins' Future with Kings Uncertain

Monday, Nov. 14

“I’d say they have three months, tops,” a Western Conference general manager told Sean Deveney of Sporting News. “Probably more like a month, or month-and-a-half, because the closer they get to the [February trade] deadline, the less they’re going to get back. If you’re trying to trade him the week of the deadline, it’s going to be tougher.”

"I'd say it's 50-50," one Western Conference executive told Sam Amico of Amico Hoops on Nov. 6. "If not, it's not necessarily because they want to keep him."

"They try to act like they would never ever trade him, but why not?" a general manager told Amico. "That team stinks. They have since [Cousins] got there."

"They'll never get what they want in return," an Eastern Conference general manager said, per Amico. "They think Cousins is worth more than he actually is. He hurts you every bit as much as he helps you. He's like a cheeseburger or booze. Too much and you'll pay a price."

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Cousins No Stranger to Rumors

Cousins, 26, is averaging 26.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists across the Kings' first 11 games. Sacramento sits 4-7 and has lost two in a row ahead of a Wednesday matchup with the San Antonio Spurs.

This is par for the course for Cousins and the Kings. The team has not won more than 33 games since Cousins' arrival, despite his emergence as perhaps the NBA's best center. Cousins has become the enigmatic face of that failure, putting up a ton of counting stats while still not realizing the full breadth of his potential.

There have been near-constant complaints about Cousins' inconsistent effort, frosty relationship with teammates and unwillingness to accept coaching. Those attitude issues are likely at the heart of why the Kings haven't traded Cousins yet. He's far too valuable on the court but comes with so much baggage that it would be impossible to get equal return.

It's also difficult to trade Cousins because he has said he wants to stay in Sacramento.

"This city is more than deserving of what's happened so far and they deserve a lot more," Cousins said on SiriusXM. "As a team, we're trying to get to that level and give this city what it deserves. I'm extremely happy to be here—I'd consider this home—I'm deeply rooted in the community and have family and friends here. Like I said, I consider this home."

Sacramento has never been a hotbed for potential free agents. Players like Cousins have typically only come to the Kings via trade or the draft; he's a precious commodity and their only star as they open a new arena. It's undeniable that Cousins has been part of the Kings' issues. But he's also the only thing keeping them from being a complete laughingstock on most nights.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.