With the Sacramento Kings slowly but surely heading towards the cellar of the Western Conference this year, their seventh straight losing season, the organization is in desperate need of a roster shake-up, and that should could start with their star forward DeMarcus Cousins.
At 26, Cousins is widely regarded as one of the best big men in the league today, and could warrant a huge haul in a blockbuster trade that might help the franchise build towards a brighter future. The only thing, or person, that seems to be standing in the way of DeMarcus getting shipped out of Sacramento is their owner, Vivek Ranadive. According to Jackie MacMullan of CSN Northeast, Ranadive isn't onboard with the idea of dealing their two-time NBA All-Star. "I asked about Cousins just recently again, and Vivek Ranadive, the owner of the Sacramento Kings, does not want to trade DeMarcus Cousins," MacMullan said. "And so as long as that’s the case, all this talk is just that. It’s talk."
From a business standpoint, it makes sense why Ranadive wouldn't want to sign off on a deal involving the franchise's most marketable player. If Cousins is gone, which player does this team build around that will entice fans to pay for tickets to home games? An unproven Ben McLemore? Rudy Gay, the same guy who informed the Kings that he will decline his 2017 player option with the team, and "likely not return"?
Sacramento is between a rock and a hard place right now.
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