STATEMENT FROM KINGS HEAD COACH PAUL WESTPHAL

SACRAMENTO, CALIF., Jan. 1, 2012 – “Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction. As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life!

As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results.

Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public. This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.

DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight.”

Cousins is averaging 13.0 points and 11.2 rebounds in 27.0 minutes through four games this season.

The Kentucky product is also shooting 32.1% from the floor and averaging 5.0 personal fouls to go along with 2.8 turnovers per game.