Where are DeMarcus Cousins trade rumors coming from?

As has become an annual rite of passage, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins is in multiple trade rumors. There doesn’t seem to be any particular impetus for the latest round, but let’s examine some possible reasons these rumors are popping up.

Shaq says things

Sacramento Kings minority owner Shaquille O’Neal said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings moved on from Cousins. This was given credibility since Shaq is technically part of Sacramento Kings ownership.

Now, around here we know that Shaq is as involved in Kings decision-making as Biegler is. Sure, both are on the Kings payroll, but they just pop up when they feel like it.

Other players are involved in rumors

We know that the past week has seen both Willie Cauley-Stein and Omri Casspi in trade rumors. Cauley-Stein has had a rough start and the Kings have 18 power forwards on the roster, and Marc Stein is a very respected reporter, so this rumor wasn’t immediately something we would dismiss, even though the rumor was quickly denied.

Casspi’s situation is ongoing, and while there are conflicting reports as to whether or not Casspi wants a trade, we know he’s unhappy in his role.

So what does all of this have to do with DeMarcus Cousins rumors? Many outlets see the following:

Kings player in trade rumors

Kings player unhappy

????????????

DeMarcus Cousins must be on the move

But if we take a step back, it doesn’t seem like the Kings are eager to move anyone, let alone DeMarcus.

Agents

Nothing solid here, but always a good guess when it comes to trade rumors.

Other GMS

Ah, here we go.

In an interview with Sporting News’ Sean Deveney, an anonymous GM is quoted as saying that the Kings have “three months, tops” before trading DeMarcus Cousins. But Deveney notes that Cousins has been in rumors since 2012.

Among the teams mentioned in Cousins trade rumors in that span: Bulls, Nets, Celtics, Wizards, Mavericks, Pistons, Rockets, Nuggets, Magic, Hornets, Cavaliers, Bucks, Knicks, Raptors and Lakers. That’s more than half the league. If you’re a fan of an NBA team, then, it’s more likely than not that you’ve heard a connection between Cousins and your franchise in the last five years.

Yet he’s still a King.

Conclusions

We’re just far enough into the season for people to begin dismissing the Kings as being stuck in another bad season with a “stranded” superstar. They may not be wrong, but that also has never been enough for the Kings to take action.

Trade rumors around DeMarcus Cousins have always been nothing. And they’ll continue to be nothing until suddenly they’re something. I don’t think we’re there yet.