DeMarcus Cousins has been at the center of trade discussions since ... well, forever. At least that’s what it feels like. Now, instead of being on the move it appears the Sacramento Kings star is set to cash in on a big payday that will keep him in Northern California, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Thanks to a stipulation in the upcoming CBA, Cousins can sign for more money as a King, an angle Sacramento is likely to use as they approach this offseason.
Via ESPN:
The Kings, as you surely know by now, are openly desperate to bring their 10-season playoff drought to a halt. Those who know Sacramento best continue to say that, as long as the West’s No. 8 seed remains within the Kings’ sights, they’ll be increasingly reluctant to part with their All-Star center.
But sources also say that the Kings, at season’s end, want to pitch Cousins on a long-term partnership in the summertime, knowing he’s going to be eligible in July for a Designated Player Extension that could make him one of a handful of $200 million players league wide.
Cousins, 26, is considered one of the best centers in the NBA and he’s been whispered about as a prime trade candidate for a while, mostly due to as concerns his relationship with the team has spoiled over time.
His time has been odd as a member of the Kings. Cousins has never made the playoffs, he’s endured six head coaches in seven seasons, including interim, and he’s mixed stellar, All-Star level play with irrational, emotional outbursts on the court.
Still, his talent is undeniable, and the Designated Player Extension is built for this exact scenario: to keep big stars in smaller markets long-term by throwing a monumental amount of money at them.
If Cousins does sign an extension this summer, let’s hope it works out for all parties.