DeMarcus Cousins Refutes Trade Rumor, Says Coach Paul Westphal Lied

Sacramento Kings coach Paul Westphal said on Sunday that DeMarcus Cousins had excused himself from his team’s game and then demanded a trade, a scenario that Cousins is now refusing.

Speaking to reporters on Monday Cousins adamantly denied the rumor.

“I want to address my missing the New Orleans game Sunday,” Cousins said. “I have not demanded or requested a trade. I don’t agree with the actions taken but will give my sincere effort to put it behind me and compete the best I can for my team.”

The Kings had hoped that Cousins would mature during the off season and long NBA lockout and emerge as a star for the team after a strong rookie season that focused on his childlike tantrums on and off the court.

Drafted as a fifth overall pick in 2010 after one year spent at Kentucky the 21-year-old averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes per play.

It’s easy to believe the coaches remarks as Cousins tantrums have shown his complete lack of maturity since his high school days when he was known to showboat when things were going well and then attack players, coaches, trainers and referees when he wasn’t getting his way.

After one season at Kentucky coaches also began to question his worth ethic, although he showed up at spring training in excellent shape.

The Sacramento Kings still hope that Cousins can team up with 2009-10 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans to create a fast frontline filled with plenty of young talent.

During the 2010 season Sacramento finished with a lousy 24-58 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

Would you be all that surprised to learn that DeMarcus Cousins is still the same showboating, tantrum throwing child we have all known him to be during his short time under the national spotlight?