DeMarcus Cousins knows he’s been the subject of trade rumors for most of his six-plus seasons with the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings haven’t reached the postseason during Cousins’s tenure, although he continues to put up impressive numbers. This season he’s averaging a career-high 28.7 points per game, plus 10.4 rebounds and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range. The Celtics have been linked to Cousins rumors for years, and it has been speculated that if Sacramento doesn’t make a playoff push this season (the Kings are 7-11 entering Friday’s game against the Celtics), the club would look to move his contact.
Cousins’s contract expires after next season and he’s scheduled to earn $15.7 million this year and $16.7 million in 2017-18. He is currently the 50th-highest-paid player in the NBA.
Advertisement
When asked about the rumors, Cousins said following the team’s practice at Northeastern University: “I’m used to it. It is what it is.
“It doesn’t bother me. Most of the rumors come from people that want me on their team. So I’m not really bothered by it. I do appreciate that, but like I said, I’m a King. I’m good.”
When told that many Celtics fans that would love to see him in green, Cousins said: “I’ve heard. I’ve heard.”
Cousins stated his dedication to the Kings. He also said he is close with Celtics All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas. They were teammates for three seasons in Sacramento.
“That’s my dude, man,” Cousins said. “That’s all this league is, is people think they know [how our relationship is but] 99 percent of the time, they don’t know. That’s my guy. I’m extremely happy for him. I’m happy for all the success he’s gotten so far, leading the Celtics.”
When asked if he thinks about free agency or his future, Cousins said he doesn’t.
Advertisement
“I got a season and a whole other season [of my contract],” he said. “I focus on these guys right here on winning games and focus on making the playoffs, that’s it.”
Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.