Kings' Cousins and Karl agree relationship is now 'solid'

Everybody plays nice on media day.

The Sacramento Kings opened training camp Monday, and they managed to avoid any of the drama that plagued their offseason. That doesn't mean the reported issues between head coach George Karl and DeMarcus Cousins weren't brought up, but both sides were tepidly optimistic about the ground they've covered this summer.

"I think it's solid to good," Karl said of his relationship with Cousins. "That's where I'm at with it."

That's not exactly a rousing endorsement, but it's a step forward from reports ahead of the draft that suggested Karl was pushing for the organization to deal its stud center. At the time, Cousins maintained he wanted to remain in Sacramento, but not before alluding to Karl as a "snake in the grass" in a tweet.

Vice President and general manager Vlade Divac has maintained publicly that trust is building between the two and everyone is on the same page. They appear to have prepared the same evaluation of their relationship, at least.

"It's solid," Cousins said of the relationship. "We met in Vegas, we came to a head and we talked our differences out like men. At the end of the day, it's about winning, winning games. That's one thing me and him can agree on."

Helping matters in that regard could be the addition of point guard Rajon Rondo, with whom Cousins seems excited to play with.

"Dude is a flat out genius when it comes to basketball," Cousins said.

Cousins made his first All-Star team last season, averaging 24.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.7 blocks. Rondo struggled to his worst statistical season in years, ultimately getting dealt by the Boston Celtics and then promptly wearing out his welcome with the Dallas Mavericks.

Perhaps Cousins and Rondo are kindred, misunderstood basketball spirits, and the pairing will prove fruitful.