This is certainly not the year three that DeMarcus Cousins had in mind going into the season. His scoring and rebounding numbers are down from last year and he just looks miserable out there.
Of course, that could also be because he plays for the 5-12 Sacramento Kings. It’s one of those situations where you wonder if a talented player would thrive in a different situation. If Cousins were traded to a team above .500, would we finally see the player that he’s capable of being?
There’s no way to know unless it happens. The Kings don’t seem interested in trading Cousins, but there are reportedly a few teams that are very eager to take him. If one of them were able to acquire the young big man, they’d definitely have to work on his diminished ego.
"I've been terrible," Cousins said. "We're losing. I don't feel like I made improvements from last year. I really don't have any confidence at all. I'm just trying to think my way through it, but right now, I'm not finding anything."
At least Cousins has a realistic viewpoint on things and isn’t sweeping his problems under the rug. Obviously, he’s not the only problem with the struggling Kings, but if he could get it together, it would be a step in the right direction for the team.
Cousins has had some attitude problems to go with his performance struggles as well. He got suspended for two games for confronting Sean Elliott and he’s tied for the league lead in technical fouls.
Surely, Cousins is not beyond saving from this attitude funk, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be saved by the Kings or some other team. It’s tough for a franchise to give up on talent this early in a career, but if Cousins doesn’t shape up quick, the Kings may have no choice but to send him packing.
Image: SB Nation
