The Sacramento Kings stood firm on the decision to hold on to DeMarcus Cousins beyond the trade deadline.
However, there will come a time when the team front office may have to ask themselves whether he's worth all the drama. Or better yet, another team may answer it for them.
Cousins was involved in another confrontation with Coach George Karl during a timeout huddle in their losing cause against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team suspended him for one game, against the Orlando Magic, as announced on the team's official site. The reason was for "conduct detrimental to the team."
This is obviously not the first time that has happened, and this is the reason why there is yet another NBA trade rumor about arguably the NBA's best big man. It seems reasonable to believe that at some point, the Kings, whether it's Vlade Divac or another decision maker, would have enough.
There have been debates earlier in the season on whether the Kings would trade Cousins in favor of George Karl, if push comes to shove that they cannot coexist. But that's not the case now as Karl has undergone a minor cancer procedure according to Yahoo Sports.
"It's a simple procedure. Almost done. I will be fine," Yahoo quoted Karl's text.
Even with the reassurance, Karl is definitely not in for the long haul and it is not common practice to trade the player in favor of the coach, unless it's someone like Gregg Popovich. Boogie is also an impressive talent that any team would covet.
Speaking of teams that covet Cousins, the Boston Celtics have always been rumored to pursue the center. Danny Ainge is serious about pursuing big men if the report from Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald about how the Celts pursued Jahlil Okafor, even dangling the Brooklyn Nets' unprotected draft pick.
It was often speculated that the Nets' pick was reserved for someone like Cousins. The pick, at this time, (or at the trade deadline) has unknown value until after the lottery. But the point is, Ainge is willing to put the pick on the table.
If the Nets' pick turns out in the top 2 and the Celtics offered it to the Kings along with a package of young players, it would be difficult for the Kings' ownership to continue dismissing these offers.
Another suspension and it's unlikely to be the last. The Kings management has been too fluid (they have had multiple GMs) and if Cousins is the only stabilizing factor on a team, the next outburst is due in a matter of time.