DeMarcus Cousins opens up about his feelings towards Sacramento and the Kings

As the Sacramento Kings prepare to visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, the trade that sent DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans is back in the spotlight. With the benefit of a little more time, DeMarcus Cousins opened up to Marc Spears of The Undefeated to discuss his feeling towards Sacramento, the Kings, and how he’s settling into his new team and city.

The biggest takeaway is that the trade truly blindsided Boogie.

I wanted my legacy to end in Sacramento. I invested so much time and energy. Everything I had, my whole heart was into that city. Just for it to end the way it did, that was the part that was f—-. But it was never about the money. I don’t give a s— about the money.

When Cousins talked about staying with the Kings forever, it was only natural to wonder if that was genuine or strictly about money. The extra money is over and done with, but Cousins still seems to be legitimately hurt that he’s no longer in Sacramento.

But as much as Cousins still loves the city, there’s clearly no remaining fondness for Kings management.

Have you spoken to anyone managementwise with the Kings?

Nope.

Should you?

For what? Honestly, Vivek tried to reach out. It was about two weeks later [after the trade]. I just told him, ‘Look, why are you reaching out to me two weeks later? There is no point. If you feel like you’re doing the right thing now, it just shows who you really are as an owner.’ That was my message back to him. And I haven’t spoken to him about it since.

Cousins admits that he would have been upset if the Kings had told him that they were looking to trade him, but that he could have at least respected it if the team had been up front. The sense of betrayal seems to be the worst part in Cousins’ eyes.

But DeMarcus did bring a contingent of fans from Sacramento, about 25 people including some Kings minority owners, down to New Orleans for a dinner, and also bought them a suite for Friday’s game.

Finishing this interview leaves the same general impression as Cousins’ initial public comments after the trade. He loves the city and the fans in Sacramento, but harbors no love for the team that he feels betrayed him.