Cousins revisits trade: 'Don't treat me like a f---ing piece of cattle'

DeMarcus Cousins won't return to Sacramento this season, but the Kings visit him in New Orleans on Friday night. And while more than a month has passed since his stunning trade to the Pelicans, Cousins is still incensed by the manner it was carried out - the Kings told him he wouldn't be traded, only to deal him days later.

When asked how his current feelings might differ had owner Vivek Ranadive and general manager Vlade Divac been up front with him, Cousins didn't mince words.

"Of course I would've been mad, but I still would have respected it," Cousins told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears. "Come to me like a man. I'm a human being at the end of the day. Don't treat me like a f---ing piece of cattle."

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In the weeks leading up to the All-Star break, most reports centered around the Kings signing Cousins to a long-term extension, something Cousins himself stated was his desire. Then, on Feb. 19, the big man was suddenly flipped to New Orleans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and a draft pick.

Cousins added that Ranadive attempted to contact him a few weeks after the trade, but reiterated he has no interest in speaking with the owner.

"For what?" Cousins said. "Honestly, Vivek tried to reach out. It was about two weeks later. I just told him, 'Look, why are you reaching out to me two weeks later? There is no point. If you feel like you're doing the right thing now, it just shows who you really are as an owner.' That was my message back to him. And I haven't spoken to him about it since."