DeMarcus Cousins’ tenure with the Sacramento Kings was marked by significant challenges and changes. Drafted fifth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins entered the league with high expectations, coming from a successful college career at Kentucky.
However, he found his transition to the NBA difficult due to the stark contrast between the professional expectations at Kentucky and the realities of playing for a struggling Kings team. Cousins recounted how a conversation with veteran Francisco García early in his career made him reflect on his expectations and the organization’s challenges.
During his rookie season, Cousins faced the reality of joining a team that had just finished 14th in the Western Conference and continued to struggle. Despite showing promise with averages of 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds, the Kings mirrored their previous poor performance, finishing 14th once again.
Over the next several years, the team’s performance remained lackluster, with only one season (2015-16) seeing a slight improvement. This period was also marked by significant turnover within the organization, contributing to Cousins’ difficulties.
Cousins’ statistical contributions were notable, with averages of 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game across 470 games. His performance earned him First Team All-Rookie honors and two Second Team All-NBA selections.
Despite these achievements, Cousins struggled with the constant changes within the Kings organization, including multiple ownership groups, general managers, and coaches, which made it challenging for him to find stability and success.
Reflecting on his time with the Kings, Cousins acknowledged that the organization was in a state of flux, which affected his experience. He recognized that while some of his struggles were due to his own mistakes, many factors were beyond his control. The continuous shift in coaching strategies and organizational leadership made it difficult for the team to find consistency, further complicating his efforts to succeed.
Despite the turbulent period, Cousins expressed satisfaction with the Kings’ recent success, which came after he had left the team. The franchise finally broke its playoff drought, and Cousins conveyed his happiness for the fans and the city of Sacramento.
His appreciation for the team’s progress underscores a sense of closure and acknowledgment of the challenges both he and the organization faced during his tenure.
