The Houston Rockets lost one of their core stars in free agency when Dwight Howard opted to sign with the Atlanta Hawks, effectively displacing Al Horford, instead of returning for another season with James Harden. Amid the issues that plagued the Jason Terry team was the chemistry of the former Los Angeles Lakers star and the ex-teammate of now Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant. While the move of Howard might be the better option for the Houston Rockets, it seems that another feud might be brewing in the team as the reported DeMarcus Cousins trade is said to have ruffled the feathers of the former beau of Khloe Kardashian.
The Sacramento Kings have been struggling in the past years. As the NBA team attempted to build a roster around DeMarcus Cousins, even going as far as firing head coach George Karl due to a rumored between him and the center, fans are now said to be calling out for a trade. The big man, albeit talented, has been tagged as too emotional and explosive in the hardwood court. Hence, Sacramento Kings followers feel that Cousins should just be traded off instead of letting him walk once he reaches free agency.
One of the most frustrating thing for DeMarcus Cousins is the inability of the Sacramento Kings to become playoff contenders. The young star, who is arguably one of the best centers in the NBA today, feels that the fans fail to recognize his talent due to his basketball team's standing in the league. That is, Cousins believes that his emotions in the hardwood court might be interpreted as passion instead of violence if the Sacramento Kings ranked higher in the NBA.
"I think he's really matured as a person," shared Jerry Colangelo of DeMarcus Cousins. The USA Basketball director added, "He understood after going through some early struggles with us he was going to have to get himself ready to play, fit in and make adjustments, and he did all of that."
Colangelo further noted, "So he shows up to camp here in great shape. He'd been working for some time to get himself in shape. And attitude-wise, he's in great shape, in my opinion. This is something he really wants. I just wish he could take part of the culture we have established here and take it back it home with him. It would help their entire organization."
Between the Sacramento Kings and the Houston Rockets, the latter appears to have more star power. With the desire of Cousins to finally be taken seriously in the NBA, speculations are swirling over his potential transfer to the James Harden squad. If The Beard and the Sacramento star team-up, the presence of two NBA All-Star players in the group can push them forward and give them a shot at dethroning the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference.
With the vacancy in the Houston Rockets roster, the issue of a DeMarcus Cousins trade should not be a difficult deal to finalize between the teams. However, rumors are rife that The Beard does not want the Sacramento Kings star in the group. With two of them in the roster, a confusion in who would take on the leadership role might occur - the same issue that plagued the partnership of Dwight Howard and James Harden.
What do you think? Should the Houston Rockets push for a DeMarcus Cousins trade? Will this partnership with James Harden work better than the one with Dwight Howard?