Kings Suspend Cousins Indefinitely - reinstated 12/25

[hands11]

He has been reinstated. Not much of a suspension (1 game).

Talk about a Merry Christmas

They did what they should have by suspending him.

He owned his mistake.

They are going to try to move on instead of devaluing their asset. Pretty smart by them.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Yeah. They really told him! All he got was a day off from work. Hardly a punishment at all actually. I wish I could curse out my boss and be given vacation time.

I would not advise the phrase STFU unless you've got a lot of money saved or you can make it a while on unemployment.

OTOH, one of my finest hours occurred when I left a job with a police escort. Don't know why the boss was so scared of me and I had the cop rolling as I told jokes on the way out. That was a long time ago but I think it was funny as heck.

Boogie Cousins might be scary but not dangerous. Just because he goes off and he looks intimidating doesn't mean there is malice and people are in danger. He could be like a baby who is not potty trained. Can't fault the baby for pooping his pants. Does Cousins lack self control or is his the type you feel could harm folks? That is the question.

Dude cussed his boss out? Kids are cussing out teachers nowadays on the regular. In light of current tragedies, let's put that in perspective. Disrespectful, counterproductive, draining drama is one thing. Insubordination, insurrection and keeping everybody down is really bad. Borderline personality types rarely come around. Coaches like Phil Jackson can manage those guys. Does Cousins fit this description? I cannot say because I do not know enough about him.

What I do know is I REALLY understand some of what I've seen from Blatche and Cousins. Been there. Done that.

[McGully Culkin]

While Cousins has insisted publicly that he does not want to be traded, his story has been different privately. The recent hiring of influential agent Dan Fegan has led to the widespread assumption within the organization that Cousins will eventually demand a trade. Specifically, two people close to the situation who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said a trade to the Washington Wizards would be considered ideal for Cousins and Fegan because Cousins could rejoin former Kentucky teammate and fellow Fegan client, point guard John Wall. The Wizards, who are known to have expressed recent interest in Cousins, have been told by the Kings that they have no intention of trading him

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... f/1798287/

[hands11]

While Cousins has insisted publicly that he does not want to be traded, his story has been different privately. The recent hiring of influential agent Dan Fegan has led to the widespread assumption within the organization that Cousins will eventually demand a trade. Specifically, two people close to the situation who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said a trade to the Washington Wizards would be considered ideal for Cousins and Fegan because Cousins could rejoin former Kentucky teammate and fellow Fegan client, point guard John Wall. The Wizards, who are known to have expressed recent interest in Cousins, have been told by the Kings that they have no intention of trading him

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... f/1798287/

Sounds like one day it may happen but not likely now.

First things first, Wall needs to get back on the court.

[WizarDynasty]

Dude cussed his boss out? Kids are cussing out teachers nowadays on the regular. In light of current tragedies, let's put that in perspective. Disrespectful, counterproductive, draining drama is one thing. Insubordination, insurrection and keeping everybody down is really bad. Borderline personality types rarely come around. Coaches like Phil Jackson can manage those guys. Does Cousins fit this description? I cannot say because I do not know enough about him.

there is no "boss" and there is no "subordinate". Cousins is considered a highly skilled professional that performs service for a fee. Keith Smart is an employee of the Sacramento Kings just like Ernie Grunfeld and whitman are part of Leonsis management team. He is part of Maloof management team that manages the professionals. They tell the professionals what they want done and the professionals execute the orders using their expertise.
NBA took a risk. For a set price they are bringing in young professionals who have no choice of where they can work and then expecting them to execute all orders given tot them. In a real business setting, if a professional business doesn't want to execute the order or can't execute the order, normally the paying party tries to cancel the contract by going to court. If the paying party doesn't pay the contractor, then contractor stops performing the service.
cousins is being paid an amount bargained for before he entered the league, he is choosing to execute the orders that kings management have given him in his "own DMC chosen way" professional way and the kings don't like it yet Cousins is considered a professional.
KIngs are disagreeing with the way DMC runs his business yet they entered a contract to pay for his professional services. DMC gave up his rights to choose the location of his work and Kings gave up their right to tell DMC how should run the "DMC brand business".
KIngs are not DMC's boss, they pay DMC to perform a service that DMC is considered a professional.
When a doctor is hired to diagnose a disease, the patient pays the doctor to examine his body but the patient isn't the doctors boss because the patient isn't an expert in the doctor's field otherwise the patient would do it him or herself.
Same with Kings and DMC. the kings are the patient paying DMC to perform a service and if they could do DMC's job theirself, they would instead of paying DMC.
A patient may not like a particular doctor's style so they choose to get another doctor but since the kings are getting DMC for a bargain, they choose not to go with another doctor because it would cost tom MUCH.

the kings and kings management are not DMC's boss. They can create an environment that allows for their hired contractor to perform his services more efficiently by providing him the tools that he needs. DMC is clearly stating that he doesn't have the tools he wants. Most players come into the league 99 percent don't have a soul mate professional basketball player but DMC already does and that's one of his most valuable tools.


Actually Cousins is under contract as professional. O the contract is over, the business relationship is over. Cousins is his own business that created a contract to perform services for the nba for a fee. Cousins is part of nba player's association which has already bargained many of the parameters of his contract before he entered the league. Think of cousins as a private company ordered to clean the arena floors for a set a number of years and he has the option to renew or terminate his contract after a set number of years.

99 percent of the players come into the league without having found their soul mate on the basketball court. Separating john wall and Demarcus Cousins is like being forced in to an arranged marriage after you have already found your soul mate. cousins and Wall are SOUL MATES on the basketball court. NO money is going to change that and Cousins is tailored made for the culture of the city of DC.

[Zonkerbl]

And a worse condemnation of the Wizards organization you will not find.

[nate33]

While Cousins has insisted publicly that he does not want to be traded, his story has been different privately. The recent hiring of influential agent Dan Fegan has led to the widespread assumption within the organization that Cousins will eventually demand a trade. Specifically, two people close to the situation who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said a trade to the Washington Wizards would be considered ideal for Cousins and Fegan because Cousins could rejoin former Kentucky teammate and fellow Fegan client, point guard John Wall. The Wizards, who are known to have expressed recent interest in Cousins, have been told by the Kings that they have no intention of trading him

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... f/1798287/

Wow! I might actually start to get excited here. It's one thing if a reporter is speculating that a Cousins-to-DC trade makes sense. But according to this article, there are actual people "close to the situation" who are talking about it happening.

I also hadn't heard before that the Wizards have expressed interest in Cousins. He's not exactly a perfect fit with Point 7 of Ted's 10-Point Plan

7. No jerks allowed. Implement a no jerk policy. Draft and develop and keep high character people. Team chemistry is vital to success. Make sure the best and highest paid players are coachable, show respect to the system, want to be in the city, love to welcome new, young players to the team, have respect for the fan base, show joy in their occupation, get the system, believe in the coaches, have fun in practice, and want to be gym rats. Dump quickly distractions. Life is too short to drink bad wine.

[WizarDynasty]

While Cousins has insisted publicly that he does not want to be traded, his story has been different privately. The recent hiring of influential agent Dan Fegan has led to the widespread assumption within the organization that Cousins will eventually demand a trade. Specifically, two people close to the situation who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said a trade to the Washington Wizards would be considered ideal for Cousins and Fegan because Cousins could rejoin former Kentucky teammate and fellow Fegan client, point guard John Wall. The Wizards, who are known to have expressed recent interest in Cousins, have been told by the Kings that they have no intention of trading him

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... f/1798287/

Wow! I might actually start to get excited here. It's one thing if a reporter is speculating that a Cousins-to-DC trade makes sense. But according to this article, there are actual people "close to the situation" who are talking about it happening.

I also hadn't heard before that the Wizards have expressed interest in Cousins. He's not exactly a perfect fit with Point 7 of Ted's 10-Point Plan

7. No jerks allowed. Implement a no jerk policy. Draft and develop and keep high character people. Team chemistry is vital to success. Make sure the best and highest paid players are coachable, show respect to the system, want to be in the city, love to welcome new, young players to the team, have respect for the fan base, show joy in their occupation, get the system, believe in the coaches, have fun in practice, and want to be gym rats. Dump quickly distractions. Life is too short to drink bad wine.

I do think Cousins and Wall are soulmates but i also like point 7 of ted 10 point plan. It has really really multi layered wisdom for longterm growth. A careful analysis would have to be done of Cousins but I think Cousins believes in Wall with all his heart. I obviously don't know the two but Wall checks Cousins, which is why they are basketball soul mates. correction...wall's heart checks cousin. Wall has off the chart intangibles--his heart is one of his biggest assets--invaluable.

[McGully Culkin]

My gut feeling tells me that this deal is going to happen. We've got NOTHING to lose by trying to attain Cousins. My only caveat is that if the deal is made, the Wizards have to hold on to Nene. We don't know what Cousins' mental state is. All we know is that things aren't working in Sacramento and that he has a good relationship with John Wall. Keeping Nene provides a QUALITY veteran presence to potentially mentor Boogie both on and off the court. I think a trio of Nene, Boogie, and Wall is more than formidable (when healthy). Let's get this done so we aren't sitting here 2/3 years from now talking in hindsight about the deal that got away *cough* James Harden *cough*. While a high risk move, this is exactly what needs to be done to somewhat show the fanbase and the remaining players on the team that the FO is serious about getting better. We've got young assets and a 2013 high draft pick to deal (I couldn't care less about the pick - cousins value > than anything else we'd probably get in the top 3/5....we can always buy a pick if need be later in the 1st).

Cousins
Nene
Temple
Beal
Wall

That would be the best lineup we've had since the big-3 were in their primes.

[AFM]

WizD with one of the greatest posts in RealGM history.

[nate33]

My gut feeling tells me that this deal is going to happen. We've got NOTHING to lose by trying to attain Cousins. My only caveat is that if the deal is made, the Wizards have to hold on to Nene. We don't know what Cousins' mental state is. All we know is that things aren't working in Sacramento and that he has a good relationship with John Wall. Keeping Nene provides a QUALITY veteran presence to potentially mentor Boogie both on and off the court.

Agreed. I don't want Cousins if we have to give up Nene to make it happen. I really think Nene's presence is absolutely CRITICAL for Cousins' development. We can give up any of Seraphin, Vesely, Crawford, Singleton, Webster and I won't bat an eye. I wouldn't give up the 2013 pick unless it was top 10 protected.

I think the real question is whether we should give up Beal. I don't think Beal will be a bust, I think he'll come around and become a competent NBA player, but I really don't think he has any star potential whatsoever. If we traded Beal and then replaced him in the offseason with someone like, say, Anthony Morrow, I don't think we'd really notice the difference.

So, question for the board: if the deal was Seraphin + Beal for Cousins, would you pull the trigger?

[Halcyon]

I would want more in return for Beal. Marcus Thornton possible?

[nate33]

I would want more in return for Beal. Marcus Thornton possible?

And if they said "No"?

I'm not anxious to give up on Beal either. I would prefer to trade Seraphin + filler (Booker, Vesely or Singleton) + a protected 1st round pick for Cousins. I would push hard for that trade. But if Sacramento refused, if they said Seraphin + Beal or no deal, what would you do?

I think I'd go ahead and pull the trigger.

[DCZards]

Beal + Seraphin are too much to give up for a headcase like Cousins. And I don't buy the argument that Wall is somehow going to be able to "control" Cousins when the Sac coaches and FO haven't been able to.

Plus I still have high hopes for Beal becoming a real impact player.

[McGully Culkin]

I would want more in return for Beal. Marcus Thornton possible?

And if they said "No"?

I'm not anxious to give up on Beal either. I would prefer to trade Seraphin + filler (Booker, Vesely or Singleton) + a protected 1st round pick for Cousins. I would push hard for that trade. But if Sacramento refused, if they said Seraphin + Beal or no deal, what would you do?

I think I'd go ahead and pull the trigger.

That's a tough call. It would make me more infuriated that we left the Harden deal on the table LOL. However, I think I'm with you. I think I'd roll the dice and pull the trigger. I'd hope that they'd thrown in Jimmer to kind of offset the loss of Beal's shooting (or lack there of).

Cousins
Nene
Temple
Crawford
Wall

Bottom line, this team has NOTHING to lose by making a risky trade. NOTHING. If it fails, so what...we're in the exact same position that we are in now.

If this deal gets made, it puts more pressure on EG, or whoever is the gm by the time of the draft, to hit a home run with the pick. Archie Goodwin would be our guy.

[Rafael122]

I would trade Vesely and Singleton or Vesely and Booker for Cousins.

[noworriesinmd]

I've been hard on Beal, however...there is NO WAY I'd give up on him this early in his career.
Seraphin + Filler.

Offlimits:
Beal
Wall
2013 pick
Nene

[nate33]

I would trade Vesely and Singleton or Vesely and Booker for Cousins.

Well, of course you would. I would trade a ham sandwich for prime Michael Jordan as well. Let's stipulate that we would all be more than happy to trade fringe players for Cousins. If EG pulls such a trade off, it would be a coup. But I seriously doubt he would come so cheap.

This debate would be much more interesting if people would declare exactly how much they'd be willing to sacrifice in order to acquire Cousins. I think the inclusion of Seraphin is absolutely necessary for Sacramento to even discuss it further, and I wouldn't have a problem with it. The real question is then, what incentive would you be willing to add in addition to Seraphin to convince Sacramento to pull the trigger?

[Illuminaire]

I would not sacrifice Beal in a Cousins deal right now. Not when Cousins has a track record of reckless inefficiency on offense and is a known headcase.

Meanwhile, Beal is a 19 year old rookie. Before the season, Nate, you acknowledged that ultra-young rookie guards usually struggle. Beal has struggled. That's the norm, not the exception. We have no idea what his real value will be - especially if his shooting comes around (which his FT% indicates should happen).

To me, it seems far more likely that Beal will develop at this point than Cousins will, especially regarding Cousins' behavioral issues.

[Rafael122]

I would trade Vesely and Singleton or Vesely and Booker for Cousins.

Well, of course you would. I would trade a ham sandwich for prime Michael Jordan as well. Let's stipulate that we would all be more than happy to trade fringe players for Cousins. If EG pulls such a trade off, it would be a coup. But I seriously doubt he would come so cheap.

This debate would be much more interesting if people would declare exactly how much they'd be willing to sacrifice in order to acquire Cousins. I think the inclusion of Seraphin is absolutely necessary for Sacramento to even discuss it further, and I wouldn't have a problem with it. The real question is then, what incentive would you be willing to add in addition to Seraphin to convince Sacramento to pull the trigger?

The only players on this team I wouldn't trade are Beal, Wall, Nene, and Seraphin. Everyone else is up for grabs. The reason I include Nene in that bunch is because of his contract, as well as the fact that he isn't healthy, therefore his trade value is low.

But any combination of the other players, 2 or 3 of them. Kings are trying to get sold, I wouldn't be surprised if they're just asking for players on the cheap. We have that.