Additionally, Divac said "he didn't think" he would trade DeMarcus. That's not as absolute as "I am not trading him". It leaves wiggle room to change his mind and for an offer to which Vlade can't say no, or at least think long and hard about before declining. Ailene has reason to have animosity towards Cousins, because he has froze her out over a petty grudge, and made it more difficult for her to do her job.
But I think she has a good read on this situation when she said early today in her chat
"My sense is that Divac and members of his front office were so disgusted with DeMarcus toward the end of the year that they would entertain offers this summer." This has been my perception too, going back to when he was suspended for one game, and ended the last game at Arco with a thud. And we won anyway, in spite of him raining on the farewell party.
Yet Ailene also said:
"The sentiment within the organization seems to have softened toward trading DeMarcus Cousins - they want to give Joerger a shot with the All-Star center" This situation is not as cut and dry as some fans want you to believe, because the allure of a Godfather offer for Cousins looms. What happens when such an offer is made? When opportunities avails itself unexpectedly, Vlade has shown inclination to act. It happened with the coach, it can happen with a player.
The other variable is this: Boogies is not efficient enough on offense, or consistent enough on defense to make his antics irrelevant. If Boogie was 55% TS or better, better than 1:1 assist to turnover, and a consistent defender who ran back in transition, then you could be dismissive of the extracurricular, because the good would clearly outweigh the bad, and it would be reflected in our wins, and effect on teammates; that is, he would raise the level of play of those around him, instead of having neutral to negative effect.
THEN he would be a franchise player. THEN he would be the big man version of Lillard. THEN he would be worthy of the acclaim others want to bestow prematurely. As it stands, he is a brooding mega talent without a go-to post move who tries on defense about 60-70% of the time. To his credit, he did improve as the season wore on with his face-up game and decision making with less forces and more solid reads. This is encouraging if he sticks around.
Here are some interesting quotes from Ailene. (in bold) The fact she leans towards Boogie being back lends credence to her other opinions, since she would take quiet to not-so-quiet glee in seeing him shipped out.
Now, given Joerger's success coaching Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, the plan is to give the new coach a final crack at cracking the DeMarcus puzzle.
The sentiment within the front office shifts because Boogie has not done enough to secure his status. Karl in his exit interview was spot on in saying his TOs need to come down, his shot selection needs to improve. Shortcomings also include how his usage dominance effects those around him. Rudy's production fell off badly, his usage fell from 27% to 22%, his assist rate fell from 19% to 8%, and it was b/c Boogie loves to get his and because the Karl offense was designed around Rondo-Cousins.
By featuring these two, we got a combined 7.7 turnovers per game (!!!) and 53.8% and 50.6% TS respectively. This is a losing formula even if both guys were angels. And this does not account for their sporadic defense. Hypothetically, lets say they are choir boys. It is still NOT good enough to win. That is why it is farcical to suggest both of them returning is foregone conclusion.
Gay has been miserable. He doesn't want to play with Cousins any more, and he has plenty of company in the locker room. - The report that Gay doesn't want to be in Sacramento has been corroborated by the Kings Insiders, James Ham and that other guy. Gay knows his potential is being squandered, his talents are being misused and he can do more absent this dysfunction. The Great Rudini put on too few shows last season.
I will also want to see what kind of shape DeMarcus Cousins shows up at training camp. If he drops 20-30 pounds over the summer, that would help. This comment by Voison cracked me up a little bit. He doesn't have 20 to 30 pounds to lose. Losing 5 to 10 pounds of body fat would get him to where he needs to be, around 13 to 15% body fat. So while this number is inaccurate, I do believe her when she says this...
Well, I have tremendous respect for Jason, but I can name (but won't) four current players who privately and not-so-privately have told me they can't stand playing with Cousins. If I had to guess I think those guys are Darren (definitely), Rudy (definitely), Marco (probably) and if I had to guess on the fourth guy....Ben (maybe). Voison does not have any incentive to invent stories regarding Boogie because if she's making poopoo up as vendetta she risks her job and professional reputation.
And don't get me started on his poor physical conditioning. Coaches game-plan against the Kings because Cousins is such a poor transition defender.
His poor transition defense is a matter of effort as much as it is conditioning, but both are factors. This is your franchise player! This is the guy our new coach "had to come for"!
One last point worth making regarding this "formidable bond" between Boogie and Rondo. What is the basis of this bond? I will tell you. Boogie wants a PG who gets him shots. This is his priority. Not a PG who has the most impact on winning or losing, but the PG who will feed him the rock. Why do you think Boogie did not make a fuss when we cut Isaiah loose? There was not a peep from his corner. It was NOT because of any personal animosity. It was business related. Isaiah shot the ball too much for Boogie's liking.
Prospectively, the Kings front office should feel under NO obligation to keep Rondo to satisfy Boogie. If they deem his return worthy on own merits, that's one thing. But to satisfy Boogie while undermining the larger objective would be irresponsible. I have gone back and forth on Rondo, loving his competitiveness and lob passes, but disappointed at his carelessness, free throw rate and frequency (he doesn't want to get fouled). As it stands, I think we use our cap space elsewhere. The NBA is PG rich league with dearth of wings. Resources need be allocated accordingly.
P.S. My boy Allen Crabbe doing his thing again, I see.

The Blob Dream Off-Season Scenario: Sign Crabbe to $50 million offer sheet. Draft Sabonis. Trade Boogie for a King's Ransom including a Top 3 pick. Draft Dunn. Let Joerger work his magic. Profit.