NBA Trade Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins Not Going To Stay With Kings, Says League Executive

DeMarcus Cousins is a favorite item in NBA trade rumors, and while most rumors have died down, there's another one that has emerged. A league executive doesn't expect Cousins to stay with the Sacramento Kings.

While DeMarcus Cousins still has two years in his contracts, there are many people who believe that when he became a free agent in 2018, he would leave the Sacramento Kings. One league executive told CBS Sports, "They're fooling themselves if they think he's sticking around."

"The good news for them is his value will always be high. There isn't a point of no return in which you're not getting high value for him. Teams will bid against each other in the trade market. Maybe [Cousins] doesn't go for the biggest money in free agency but you'd love to have that card to play," the executive explained.

Vlade Divac, General Manager of the Sacramento Kings, have early downplayed the rumors about DeMarcus, which were mainly centered on his attitude. Divac said that DeMarcus have changed over the past years and he's is no doubt one of the best centers in the NBA. He also believes that DeMarcus Cousins' recent stint in the Rio Olympics will help him become a better player for the Kings. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Divac said that he hopes that the positive attitude DeMarcus had during the Olympics will be carried over to the Sacramento's game in the upcoming season.

Despite his attitude, many NBA teams still want to acquire him. And when the time comes, a deal involving him would surely be a high-value. Among the popular trade rumors is that with the Cleveland Cavaliers with Kevin Love. He was also rumored to be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Nerlens Noel.

NBA 2016-2017 season is set to begin in October.