To be honest if he demanded a trade I wouldn't blame him.
Depressed Demarcus
It has been a miserable time for Cousins over the last 6 years and as he gets deeper into his 6th season it doesn't seem like it is going to get any easier for him.
Overachiever On a Sinking Ship
He's a 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist on the USA Basketball Team
A leading scorer in the league, 4th in the 2015-2016 season and a top 10 rebounder for the last 4 seasons, which means that he is not short of achievements and solo merit. However when it comes to the accolades that NBA players truly seek such as the NBA championship and Most Valuable Player awards, Demarcus is sincerely lacking and although his stats suggest he should have more he only has been to one All Star Game much to the dismay of Radio and TV stars Jalen Rose and David Jacoby.
No Love for Boogie
All Star Break and the MVP voting, it is mainly a popularity contest and Demarcus being a no nonsense kind of superstar has meant that when it comes to votes he is never likely to be the highest voted even though he averaged 26.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game last year and almost single handedly wins every game the Kings play. Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks Power Forward) is another superstar who has been offended by the lack of respect in his game and his work and he just so happens to be Boogies favorite player and USA teammate.
The Big Question
So the question is should he be traded from a team who have not been higher than 10th in the Western Conference at the end of a season since he started and is making no effort to put talent around him?
No Back Up
It's not like his teammates are complete trash but they do not scream All Star, Ty Lawson is a shell of his Denver Nuggets self, Rudy Gay never really matured into a true talent although he is a solid player and the most of the other players are not really worth mentioning. No offence to the players, I am not in the NBA and they already are better than most of the population but seriously who is afraid of a aging Matt Barnes or a Anthony Tolliver when they run down the court.
Does His Back Hurt or Just His Ego?
This being said it is no wonder that he leads his team in three categories and has a almost consistent scowl on his face. It's a sad story for a player with such talent and anyone who does like him or his game has began to realise that until he moves to the next team he truly might never get the recognition he deserves, especially with the resurgence of the NBA Big Man fully in swing and players like Anthony Davis, Joel Embid and Karl Anthony Towns stealing all the stardom.
If he does decide to demand a trade where would he go?
“I’m hearing talk of, if things don’t start to become correct then they may be looking to go in a different direction.” Shaquille O'neal stated very recently and as a minority owner of the Kings he knows and hears a thing or two about the franchise.
It seems like the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics have the cap space (NBA Salary Cap) and space in position for him and with the addition of the Superstar they really could become championship contenders, there is also some talks of the Los Angeles Lakers being interested in the 6'11 star. However it seems like neither the Kings nor Demarcus are particularly worried.
Serious Stockholm Syndrome?
“I talk to management a lot,” Cousins told ESPN.com. “We’re on the same page. I’m not worried about it. To know that you’re wanted throughout the league … I’d be worried if nobody wanted me. Then I’d have a situation on my hands. But I’m happy where I am. I’m happy with this team. I’m in a great place.”
He seems pretty firm about his decision but with the Kings in 9th place, 3 behind the Portland TrailBlazers and no crazy signings in the near future I can't see a bright future for Boogie, with the Kings deciding that more Centers is the answer and no real plan maybe he should consider those options, it might do his legacy a favour.
