This is why the Sacramento Kings are the Sacramento Kings.
CBS Sports reported that while new Sacramento vice president of basketball and franchise operations Vlade Divac was busy insisting that the Kings were not going to trade disgruntled big man DeMarcus Cousins, owner Vivek Ranadive gave Cousins' agent permission to negotiate a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers before the draft, per a USA TODAY Sports report.
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"So when [agent for DeMarcus Cousins Dan Fegan] tried to orchestrate a trade that would send Cousins to the Los Angeles Lakers in the days leading up to the draft - one that Kings owner Vivek Ranadive gave him permission to pursue when he made it clear that Cousins wanted out - it wouldn't have shocked anyone if Divac decided to do the deal just to quiet this storm." USA TODAY Sports reported. "Instead, he's trying to fix a fractured situation on his terms."
That report contradicted reports just before the draft that Karl was trying to force a trade and that Ranadive actually was considering firing the head coach whom he'd just hired in February.
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It also raises huge questions about who's actually in charge in Sacramento. Is it Divac? Is it Karl? Is it Ranadive? Is it the players?
The trade didn't happen, so at least Divac showed some power by not having to give away Cousins to the Lakers.
"I just was tired last week, or days, of these rumors, and putting a lot of stuff on our back, making this even harder than it is," Divac said in an interview with Sacramento radio station KHTK 1140 Friday morning, as reported by USA TODAY Sports. "I try to be who I am, and try to do my job best I can and try to do the best I can for the franchise. I'm not going to let somebody change my mind because they're putting (threats in) the paper or putting the pressure on me. I'll do the best I can to improve this team."
That's as long as Ranadive doesn't overrule his decisions. He didn't with Cousins ... this time. And the Kings still have to hire a general manager.
Who do you think will be in charge of the Sacramento Kings? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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