Kings suspend DeMarcus Cousins for detrimental conduct
Another tumultuous chapter has been added to DeMarcus Cousins' tenure in Sacramento, with the Kings announcing Thursday that they have suspended the All-Star big man one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
Cousins will serve the suspension when the Kings host the Orlando Magic on Friday.
While the Kings didn't specify what Cousins was being suspended for, he was caught yelling at head coach George Karl at one point during Wednesday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cousins' frustration with Karl stemmed from a feeling the coach did not have his players' backs, reports ABC10's Sean Cunningham, while sources told The Vertical's Chris Mannix that Cousins also got into it with general manager Vlade Divac.
Cousins is one more technical foul away from a mandatory suspension from the league (he currently has 15), and the 25-year-old has a long history of drama clouding what's otherwise been a career of spectacular play.
The two-time All-Star is averaging 27.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks this season, while the 25-38 Kings have performed more than eight points better per 100 possessions when Cousins is on the court.
Cousins' issues in Sacramento have included team and league suspensions for matters including a confrontation with Spurs broadcaster Sean Elliott, striking O.J. Mayo in the groin, a locker room exchange with former coach Keith Smart, throwing a punch at Patrick Beverley, accumulating 16 technicals during the 2013-14 season, and hitting Al Horford in the head earlier this season.
The mercurial star seemed to have turned a new leaf under coach Mike Malone early in the 2014-15 season, but has been linked to reports of a feud with Karl since the fifth-winningest coach in NBA history took the reins in Sacramento.