Sacramento Kings won't trade DeMarcus Cousins, who faces one-game ban

DeMarcus Cousins would be a big man -- literally and figuratively -- on the trade market should the Sacramento Kings decide to deal him.

However, the Kings plan to hang onto the All-Star.

"We're not trading DeMarcus," Sacramento general manager Vlade Divac told ESPN on Monday. "We hope he's here for a long time."

Unfortunately for the Kings, they will be without Cousins for their Wednesday home game against the Boston Celtics. Cousins was ejected from Sacramento's 112-107 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday after picking up his 15th and 16th technical fouls of the season. NBA rules call for a one-game ban after 16 T's in a season.

CSN California reported that Divac and Kings representatives had discussions with Cousins' representatives on Thursday to assure them that the center would not be dealt.

Multiple media outlets reported last week that the Phoenix Suns were interested in acquiring Cousins.

The Kings are expected to offer Cousins the new maximum "designated player" contract extension this summer, five years for around $219 million.

"We are going in that direction," Divac told ESPN.

Entering play Monday, Cousins was averaging 28.1 points (fourth in the NBA), 10.6 rebounds (11th) and 1.36 blocks per game (18th). He finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and one block against Chicago.

Cousins, the Kings' 2010 first-round pick out of Kentucky, has yet to guide Sacramento to the playoffs.