The Sacramento Kings have flirted with a DeMarcus Cousins trade this summer and rumors have many in the organization still pushing for a deal and this comes as Marshall Henderson has signed a deal to come into camp, while Ryan Hollins is a free agent target to return along with Reggie Evans.
The Kings are coming into the season after making a number of moves this summer, including signing Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and Kosta Koufos. The team has been mentioned in rumors for most of the summer and it has centered on head coach George Karl and his relationship with Cousins. According to Howard Beck at Bleacher Report, there are many in the organization that want to trade Cousins, but owner Vivek Ranadivé is not one of them.
Obviously the owner will have a major say, but Beck writes that Karl is someone pushing for the trade "though he denies" it, while there are others in the organization that want a deal. Beck described it as the "vast majority" are "in favor" of trading Cousins. Cousins is a great talent and he is coming off of his best season, but Karl may not see him as a player to build a winning team around.
Cousins and Vlade Divac both came out on social media along with Ranadivé to bash the rumors and Cousins wrote: "blah blah blah," in response to the report. While a deal is not imminent and may not even happen this year, reports from earlier in the summer had the Kings allowing Cousins' reps to look for a deal. The Lakers and Kings reportedly exchanged a framework about a trade before the NBA draft, but that did not come close to happening.
The Kings have continued to make additions during the summer, as Marc Spears at Yahoo Sports reported that the team signed Marshall Henderson. According to Yahoo, Henderson has signed a training camp deal with the Kings at it came after two teams, including the Kings, "showed interest" in Henderson after he went undrafted in 2014. Henderson has played overseas after his colorful career at Ole Miss.
The Kings reportedly have talked about bringing back Reggie Evans as a free agent, while Ryan Hollins is also a target. According to Spears, Hollins is getting some interest from the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers along with the Kings. Hollins comes in after playing in 46 games last season for the Kings and averaged three points and two rebounds in nearly 10 m minutes per game.
The Lakers are a potential landing spot and the Celtics also were reportedly interested earlier in the summer, but neither of those deals are close to happening. The Kings reportedly thought about trading Cousins last year ay the deadline and this year if the team falters again, they could consider blowing things up and making a move. Karl reportedly was interested in acquiring his former player Kenneth Faried from when he was coach of the Denver Nuggets.
Check here for more on the potential for a Cousins trade, more on Henderson and Hollins.