DeMarcus Cousins Trade Rumors: Another Slap in the Face to Sacramento Kings Fans

Dear Sacramento Kings fans,

As an NBA fan, I would like to offer my sincere apologizes for all of the crap you've been forced to endure over the past 10 years. First it was the 2002 Western Conference Finals against the Lakers, which may or may not have been fixed, depending on who you talk to.

And then the Maloofs acted like they were going to move your team to Anaheim before the NBA recommended they stick around for your sake, Sacramento. Sure, they haven't made the playoffs in five straight seasons, but hell—they're still YOUR team, and lord knows you don't want to become the new Seattle.

And as if this wasn't enough, now the player that is supposed to be the future superstar of the Kings alongside Tyreke Evans—DeMarcus Cousins—is allegedly asking to be traded and has been told to stay away from the team.

Here was the statement from Kings coach Paul Westphal (from The Washington Post):

"

“Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction,” Westphal said. “As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life! As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results.

“Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public,” Westphal continued. “This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.

“DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight.”

"

Cousins' agent, John Greig, has denied that a trade was demanded.

And who cares, right Sacramento? Because it seems unlikely that Cousins will be back, and what's worse, it seems unlikely that teams are going to put together a lucrative package to acquire him knowing that Sacramento basically is now forced to move the big man.

It might be for the best that he is moved, given his clashes with Westphal over how he is used in the offense and questions about his work ethic and maturity.

But not like this. Not when teams will lowball the Kings because the team will want to move him sooner rather than later to alleviate this situation. Not when this situation only raises more questions about the behavioral issues that have surrounded Cousins since high school.

In the end, it's you who loses once again, Sacramento. On behalf of NBA fans everywhere, well, you deserve better.

Sincerely,

Timothy Rapp

Hit me up on the Twitter—all the cool kids are doing it.