Mannix: Nets Interested in Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins may or may not be on the market but he is certainly in the dog house. Kings coach Paul Westphal issued a statement Sunday that he had sent the 6'11" Cousins home, saying "he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team."

But the Kings' owner quickly said not happening. "We’re happy that he’s a King," Joe Maloof told Yahoo! Sports. "We're not trading him." Maybe it was heartfelt or maybe Maloof wants to restore some value to Cousins since teams are indeed interested since keeping him away from the team has had hurt his value.

So who's interested? The Rockets and Pistons are two and according to Chris Mannix, "New Jersey has expressed interest in Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, league sources tell SI.com." One Nets employee knows Cousins well. Mario Elie was the Kings lead assistant last season and was among those who clashed with Cousins.

• Kings say they won't trade Cousins - Marc J. Spears & Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
• DeMarcus Cousins sent home after demanding trade - Sam Amick - Sports Illustrated