DeMarcus Cousins Pledges Loyalty to Kings, Refutes Report of Trade Demand

DeMarcus Cousins doesn't want to go anywhere.

Often depicted as unhappy and petulant, Cousins has officially voiced his loyalty to the Sacramento Kings. According to Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee, he said, "I'm loyal to my city. That's one thing I am. I'm loyal. That's the biggest thing. I'm not going to give up on it."

Now eligible for a contract extension, those words are far from empty. They also go against what we thought we knew.

For the most part, Cousins has remained silent on the contractual front, and that fell in line with the notion that he would seek a trade unless he received a max extension.

"I do want to be a King," he said. "I do."

That doesn't sound like a player mapping out an escape route. Rather, it reads like someone who understands change is on the horizon and wants to be part of it.

We're not speculating here, either; Cousins actually said that he wasn't worried about his contract situation.

If Cousins was truly unsatisfied with the direction the Kings were headed in, mum would continue to be the word. But he spoke out, pledging his allegiance to the franchise many thought he wanted no part of.

"It's something I already knew, but I'm glad it's being said," Cousins admitted, regarding owner Vivek Ranadive calling him the franchise's cornerstone. "So I'm going to take my opportunity, and I'm going to do my damn best...to lead this team to some wins."

The 22 year-old is looking to build on his already impressive career averages of 16.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 2013-14. 

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