There are rumors that DeMarcus Cousins could be traded to another team this upcoming season after Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive backtracked on his stand of not trading the All-Star power forward.

Ranadive used to be adamant that Cousins is off-limits when it comes to trade. His penchant for the former Kentucky standout was well-documented when he decided to fire head coach George Karl last April and keep Cousins.

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Karl and Cousins are known to have had tension between them throughout last season as the player and coach failed to see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues.

When asked about the possibility of trading Cousins this coming season, Ranadive acknowledged that it is up to the Kings' Vice-President and General Manager Vlade Divac to decide whether Cousins will be traded or not.

"Well again, I leave it up to Vlade (Divac)," said Ranadive. "What I see is a young guy who wants to win, and has actually matured. And I'm just repeating what I hear Vlade saying, so it's better to ask him this question".

Ranadive noted that Divac wants to make sure that team chemistry and camaraderie is at the optimum level, adding that the GM wants to see "hugs" among the players.

"What Vlade really wants to see is - and the way he says it with his Serb accent - is hugs (laughs). Hugs. He wants to see hugs, and he wants to see growth as a teammate. I know that Vlade and coach (Dave Joerger) will make the right decisions, and I don't know. Right now what I see is I'm excited for what we have," Ranadive added.

If Cousins would indeed get traded, then the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns are among the potential destinations for the 6-foot-11 player, according to the Bottom Line News.

The Blazers will welcome a Damian Lillard-DeMarcus Cousins duo, but it remains to be seen whether Portland would be willing to give up CJ McCollum in return.

Meanwhile, the Suns could offer Alex Len, TJ Warren, and Brandon Knight for Cousins, which would instantly deepen Sacramento's bench. However, this package may not be a fair deal for the Kings.

TagsNBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, DeMarcus Cousins, sacramento kings, Portland Trail Blazers, phoenix suns