DeMarcus Cousins Says He Wants to Stay With the Sacramento Kings


With his camp pushing for a max extension, and the Kings looking to make him very much the face of the franchise, center DeMarcus Cousins says he definitely wants to remain in Sacramento. Per News10: “Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins found himself once again auditioning for a role with Team USA’s Men’s Basketball team on Monday for the second straight year at Mendenhall Center on the UNLV campus. Monday was also the first time Cousins spoke about his future with his Kings team. At the advice of his agent, Dan Fegan, he had refused to speak about the team and new management since the changes in ownership from the Maloof family to the new group led by Vivek Ranadive. That advice was all but destroyed as the 22-year-old Cousins was peppered with question after question about his future in Sacramento, only this time he wasn’t so silent. ‘I do want to be a King, I do,’ Cousins said, following the practice session, in front of a large hoard of media. ‘I’m super excited (for) where this franchise is going and I’m glad to be a part of it.’ That silence from the usually outspoken Cousins led many to believe that he was ready for change, especially after another losing season. […] When the question arose about a potential contract extension with the Kings, Cousins, who has one year remaining with Sacramento opted not to discuss it. ‘I’m not focused on that, I’m focused on (Team) USA,’ Cousins quipped. The deadline for a new contract extension is Oct. 31 and if it were a maximum deal, would be worth approximately $80 million over five years. Prior to Monday, Ranadive flew to Mobile, AL alongside new general manager Pete D’Alessandro and head coach Michael Malone to meet with Cousins in his hometown, face-to-face. Tired of another losing season following his third NBA season, Cousins said his message to the new Kings brass for the future was all about winning. ‘The biggest thing we all agreed on is winning and that’s all that matters,’ Cousins said. ‘We don’t have to like each other, we don’t have to be the best of friends. Winning – that’s all that matters.'”