Sacramento Kings: How trading DeMarcus Cousins saved the Kings

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AUBURN HILLS, MI – JANUARY 23: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings looks on while playing the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on January 23, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Sacramento won the game 109-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Sacramento Kings fans everywhere were heartbroken when they learned that franchise superstar DeMarcus Cousins had been traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. But was it the best thing that general manager Vlade Divac could have done for the franchise?

On February 20, 2017, the entire Sacramento area — and with it, the NBA world — gasped as the news broke that DeMarcus Cousins, the cornerstone player for the Sacramento Kings, had been traded to the New Orleans Pelicans to form a twin towers tandem with Anthony Davis.

In spite of a clearly tumultuous relationship between Cousins and the revolving door of head coaches coming in and out of Sacramento, Kings’ general manager Vlade Divac was largely dismissive of trade inquiries involving the all-star big-man.

It seemed as though the Kings were going to ride with Boogie whether it got them to the elusive postseason or fantastically crashed and burned.

But apparently, something changed.

Abruptly, the Pelicans were thrust into a position of possible contention. All the while, the Sacramento fanbase were forced to come to grips with what looked like the first step in a complete rebuild with little left on the roster to be leveraged into additional assets.

Divac sat down with Sacramento Bee columnist Ailene Voisin in the days following the shocking trade that sent Cousins to New Orleans, discussing his goal of building a new culture for the Kings. When confronted with a question about the trade, Divac didn’t back down from his decision.

"“We are going to be in a better position in two years…If I’m wrong, I’ll step down. But if I go down, I’m going down my way.”"

Over two years have passed since Divac gave in to answering that call. Much has changed since then.

What was once a five-player deal that threatened to unleash the Boogieman onto playoff basketball has transformed into a trajectory-altering experience for two formerly ill-fated franchises.

With the dust finally settled, we take a look at how these two franchises have fared as a result of the infamous DeMarcus Cousins trade.

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