Fansided

Boogie Cousins takes apparent shot at ‘snake in the grass’ George Karl via Twitter

By Jonathan Bass

Mar 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (right) walks back to the bench after head coach George Karl (left) called timeout against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (right) walks back to the bench after head coach George Karl (left) called timeout against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boogie Cousins appeared to take a shot at George Karl amid swirling trade rumors.

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Early Tuesday morning Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Sacramento Kings were pushing to trade all-star big man DeMarcus Cousins. According to Wojnarowski, Kings head coach George Karl has been rallying for support to ship the enigmatic superstar ever since the conclusion of last season – news that Cousins is none too happy about.

"Since the end of the 2014-15 season, Cousins has become aware of Karl’s campaign to move him – including teammates telling Cousins, sources said. All around the Kings and Cousins, there is a growing belief the coach-player relationship is irreparable. Trust is a constant theme with Cousins, and he’s been unable to build any with Karl, sources said."

Seemingly building off the report of discontent, Cousins sent out a cryptic tweet on Tuesday that’s assumed to be a shot at Karl’s Iago-like backchanneling.

https://twitter.com/boogiecousins/status/613225835365949440

It’s not the first time a Karl-coached player has used a “snake in the grass” reference via the social media platform. Perhaps not coincidentally, J.R. Smith and Ty Lawson both used the phrase following their time under Karl.

Reports of Cousins as trade bait come on the heels of Sacramento’s vice president of basketball operations Vlade Divac stating that he hopes to make a move before the draft, though it wouldn’t be Cousins.

Per the Sacramento Bee:

"“That is not happening,” Divac said forcefully, “but I would love to do something, a smaller move, before the draft. We have a lot of changes to make. The league is much more up-tempo now, and we need more three-point shooting. If we don’t get that in the draft, we’ll be active in free agency and see about making trades later in the offseason.”"

If Wojnarowski’s report prove correct – that the relationship between Karl and Cousins is irreparable – Divac will be forced to make a Sophie’s Choice between coach and superstar. Should they move forward with a trade it could be difficult a suitor for Cousins at value. He is currently on the books for roughly $16, $17 and $18 million over the course of the next three seasons.

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