Sacramento Kings’ player-turned-GM Vlade Divac has no qualms about trading DeMarcus Cousins. AFP file photo.
A week after trading superstar DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings’ general manager, Vlade Divac, is still receiving flak for his decision.
READ: Kings exec on Cousins trade: Winning begins with culture, character matters
Although deemed as quite a handful due to his mercurial attitude, the 26-year-old center has established a niche as one of the most talented players in the league today.
Despite the constant ramblings regarding the slumping franchise’s eminent future, Divac remained confident in his decision and said he’s prepared to face the consequences, in the event that the team will indeed not be better off without their former superstar.
“That’s my job, and I take responsibility. And I totally understand why some fans would be upset. They supported DeMarcus, and I like DeMarcus a lot. But I believe we are going to be in a better position in two years,” he told the Sacramento Bee over the weekend.
“I want to hear again from these same people in two years. If I’m right, great. If I’m wrong, I’ll step down. But if I go down, I’m going down my way,” he added.
Meanwhile, in their first game since the trade on Thursday (Friday in Manila), the Kings displayed a more free-flowing offense and emerged victorious against the Denver Nuggets, 116-100. However, the team floundered against Kemba Walker and the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), losing 85-99.
Cousins, on the other hand, has been winless since donning a Pelicans uniform, with lopsided defeats against the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Khristian Ibarrola /ra