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DeMarcus Cousins Says He Didn’t Know He Was Part of Trade Rumors With Celtics or Any Other Team

In early January, the best news Celtics fans were getting was that always-dealing Danny Ainge could be bringing DeMarcus Cousins to the Celtics. The chatter was commonplace in Boston and across the league as fans and players schemed about what such a trade could mean.

One person didn’t think much of everything going on, and what’s strange is that that one person is the only person really involved: Cousins. Despite the heavy media attention, the Kings center said he was unaware that chatter was happening.

“I didn’t even know my name was in trade talks,” he said, according to The Boston Globe. “That’s part of the deal [though]. There’s always going to be allegations. … I’m not surprised. I’m a pretty decent player.”

Cousins is one of the best big men in the league when he plays to his potential, and he’s been in the middle of trade rumors often after a long history of run-ins with Kings management. Celtics fans were salivating at the idea of Boston getting him on the cheap due to his behavior problems, and him then flourishing under Doc Rivers.

But the trade never happened, and the Celtics have more pressing needs now with point guard Rajon Rondo out.