A trade rumor that initially had no legs, could soon take off after this Yahoo Sports report, highlights the growing tension between the Kings head coach, and they’re star player.
According to the report, George Karl has been pushing Kings brass, in hopes of getting Cousins traded before the start of next season.
Karl has been recruiting Kings vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac and multiple players on the Kings’ roster to unite with him in making the case to owner Vivek Ranadive that Cousins needs to be traded, league sources said.
Since the end of the 2014-15 season, Cousins has become aware of Karl’s campaign to move him – including teammates telling Cousins, sources said. All around the Kings and Cousins, there is a growing belief the coach-player relationship is irreparable. Trust is a constant theme with Cousins, and he’s been unable to build any with Karl, sources said.
No one in the Sacramento organization – not coaches, nor players, nor support staff – wants to imagine the combustible scenario awaiting Karl and Cousins should the Kings try to reunite them in training camp.
Karl and certain members of the Kings front office have reached out to opposing team executives, letting them know that they’ll soon have permission to shop Cousins soon.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had significant interest with Cousins, but reports suggest that the Lakers would prefer a more established veteran player, over the No. 2 pick.
For now, the Kings are pursuing trade scenarios for movable assets, including forward Rudy Gay.