Before they selected DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings knew what they were getting themselves into. At the University of Kentucky, Cousins was an emotional, sometimes-temperamental player with a tendency for losing his cool and shutting down completely when things got tough. So the Kings had to know that if and when things got difficult for the team, there was a chance that Cousins could lose it. But, they couldn't have possibly predicted that he'd pull the stunt that he just pulled this early in his career. With the Kings struggling right now at the start of the 2011-12 NBA season—and Cousins reportedly beefing with head coach Paul Westphal—the second-year center came out over the weekend and asked the team to trade him.
"DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded," Westphal told reporters before the Kings/Hornets game in Sac-Town last night. "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."
Heeeeeeere we gooooooo. The Kings knew something like this could happen when they drafted Cousins. But they probably didn't think it'd happen this early in his career. It'll be interesting to see how they handle it—and how Cousins handles himself if the team refuses to move him. Let's just hope he keeps it together. Because dude is too talented to earn a bad rep this soon into his career.
[via The Big Lead]
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