Suspended DeMarcus Cousins wants to stay with Kings

The Kings reportedly do not consider suspended DeMarcus Cousins untouchable. (Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

DeMarcus Cousins, currently under indefinite suspension by the Kings for yelling at coach Keith Smart in the locker room on Friday, told USA Today he wants to stay in Sacramento.

Cousins, 22, has a history of incidents, blow-ups -- and asking out of Sacramento.

Previous outbursts and discipline issues in high school and at Kentucky hovered over Cousins before the Kings selected him with the fifth overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.

Cousins has already been suspended twice by the NBA this season, although the earlier suspensions were handed down by the NBA. He received a one-game suspension for hitting Mavs guard O.J. Mayo, and a two-game suspension after confronting Spurs broadcaster Sean Elliott after a game.

In January, he demanded a trade -- unbeknownst to his agent, John Greig, who Cousins reportedly fired last week. Adding a twist is the fact that Cousins' new one agent, Dan Fegan, recently helped Dwight Smith force his way out of Orlando and land with the Lakers.

Despite his new agent's history, Cousins apparently is not making trade demands after his locker room tirade.

"I want to be in Sacramento," he told USA TODAY Sports.

Asked if he wanted to be in Sacramento for the long term and if he could see himself wanting to sign another contract with the team either this summer (by way of an extension) or when his rookie deal expires after next season and he would become a restricted free agent, Cousins paused for some three seconds before answering.

"I want to be in Sacramento," he repeated. "The possibility does exist. It's a possibility."

While the Kings have taken firm stands with Cousins after each incident, the team is not looking to trade one of the centerpieces of their rebuilding plan, especially when he's averaging a team-high 16.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. But a trade is not totally out of the question according to USA Today.

But a person with knowledge of the Kings' plans said "he's not untouchable," in large part because the 8-18 team is struggling so mightily and all options appear to be under consideration.