Video: Paul Westphal addresses DeMarcus Cousins trade demand

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPq-175gYeY&w=560&h=315]

Head Coach Paul Westphal addressed media about DeMarcus Cousins’ trade demand before tonight’s Hornets/Kings game.  Below are a few points of interest pulled from the scrum with Westphal on the developing drama surrounding the Kings big man.

  • Westphal says Cousins has demanded to be traded twice.  The most recent trade demand came last night.  However, the first request came Christmas Eve – on the final day of training camp.  At the end of practice, Westphal and Cousins spoke one-on-one and the Kings center appeared visibly frustrated during the conversation.  During media availability following practice, Cowbell Kingdom asked Westphal about the exchange, but he refused to comment.
  • According to Sports Illustrated’s Sam Amick, Cousins’ agent John Greig denied the trade request.  Commenting on the denial, Westphal said: “Well, it’s interesting that he told me before he told his agent, but he told me twice. So it’s silly to have the agent deny it just because he didn’t get a call before DeMarcus talked to me that’s the easiest one of all to answer.”
  • Westphal doesn’t know if Cousins will be on the upcoming road trip that includes stops in Memphis and Denver.  The trip is also the start of the Kings’ only back-to-back-to-back set of games this season.
  • When asked if the Kings will explore trading Cousins, Westphal said: “You’ll have to ask Geoff (Petrie) about that.”
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