Report: Kings to pitch Cousins on potential $200M extension in offseason

The new collective bargaining agreement will kick in just in time for the Sacramento Kings.

DeMarcus Cousins, frequent fodder in trade rumors, doesn't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. Not only are the Kings making a decent playoff push this year, the team also has plans to keep Cousins around.

This summer, the Kings plan to pitch Cousins on a long-term deal once he is eligible for the Designated Player Extension worth nearly $200 million over five years introduced in the new CBA, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.

Cousins would undoubtedly draw interest from across the league, but the Kings hold an enormous financial advantage over other suitors. He could test free agency in 2018 and earn roughly $120 million from other clubs, but that pales in comparison to what the Kings could offer. He could get paid significantly more, and sooner, if he re-upped in Sacramento.

The DPE was introduced as a measure to help teams retain their own star talents. Cousins will be one of the first test cases of whether the newly-reinforced financial edge affords clubs enough of an advantage.

Despite rampant speculation from outsiders, Cousins has steadfastly stated his devotion to the Kings through trying circumstances. He even proclaimed earlier this week that his jersey would hang in the rafters when his career ends.