Celtics fans can cross DeMarcus Cousins off their wish lists. The news of the imminent sale of the Sacramento Kings all but eliminates the possibility of the team moving its marquee, mercurial big man to the Celtics this season.

A potential trade between Sacramento and Boston appeared to have legs early this week in the aftermath of Cousins' third team-issued suspension of the season. Cousins berated Kings coach Keith Smart during halftime of a game in late December, and the team issued an indefinite suspension, which ended up being two games.

The ensuing fallout from the suspension gave plenty of credence to trade rumors. The Kings owners -- the Maloof brothers -- and general manager Geoff Petrie were divided on Cousins' deserved punishment. Petrie and Smart preferred a lengthy suspension for Cousins' repeated insubordinate behavior. According to a USA Today report, George Maloof felt that punishment was unnecessary. Instead, he "initiated dialogue with Cousins … had him discuss the situation with Smart, and then made it clear that Cousins would return to the team the following day." Petrie did not make himself available to the media when Cousins was reinstated, seemingly making an unspoken statement that he was not on board with another slap on the wrist for Cousins.

Cousins then left his agent, John Greig, to sign with Dan Fegan, who also serves as agent to Dwight Howard. Fegan is infamous in NBA circles for orchestrating Howard's departure from Orlando by demanding a trade several times last season.

Many figured Cousins' choice to switch agents would result in another trade demand from Fegan, since Cousins has publicly expressed a desire for a trade several times during frustrated postgame interviews over the last three seasons. Fegan did meet with Kings ownership this week, but according to USA Today, did not demand a trade. The Maloofs have stated emphatically that Cousins will not be traded, whether he issues a demand or not.

The recent news that the Maloofs are on the verge of selling the team adds a new perspective to the handling of Cousins. While the Kings general manager and coach might be willing to cut bait on the 22-year-old who would be a senior at Kentucky this season had he stayed in school to gain some needed maturity, the Maloofs view the 6-foot-11, 270-pound center as the team's biggest asset.

The Maloofs are said to be asking a record price for an NBA franchise -- more than $500 million. They paid $156 million for the Kings in 1998, according to Forbes magazine. A group led by Seattle hedge fund manager Chris Hansen reportedly is interested in purchasing the team and moving it to Seattle. The Maloofs didn't become rich by devaluing their assets just before they attempt to sell. A team with Cousins as the centerpiece would be far more marketable in Seattle than a team with Jason Terry, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass or even Avery Bradley playing a similar role.

Cousins' marketability is, of course, dependent on the new ownership's ability to sell him as a potential franchise player who is simply going through the growing pains of entering the NBA too early. That shouldn't be a hard sell. Cousins' most recent suspension brought out the best in the big man who has a great command of the low post. In the four games following the suspension, Cousins averaged 24.5 points and 15.3 rebounds. There is little question he has the talent to be one of the best centers in the NBA for a stretch of 10 years.

The new owners should have little trouble making the case that Cousins is an immature player stuck in an awful situation. The Kings have lacked a facilitating point guard throughout Cousins' entire career. With players like Tyreke Evans, Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Thornton, the guards are dribble-drive-obsessed, shoot-first teammates. Those who cover the Kings often report that Cousins' outbursts often come after nights when his teammates generally ignore him in the low post, choosing instead to shoot long jumpers early in the shot clock in lopsided losses. Cousins' poor behavior also has been enabled by an ownership group that continues to go over the heads of the coaching staff and general manager to keep the top prospect on the floor.

In a recent story in The Sacramento Bee, Cousins attempted to assess the cause of his outbursts.

"Stress," he said. "It's the stress. I really do care. I wish people understood how much I hate losing. Honestly, the losing really gets to me."

Taking Cousins' words into account, there might be no better landing spot for him in the NBA than Boston, where Cousins likely would have far less losing-provoked stress. He would play with a facilitating point guard in Rajon Rondo, who has been criticized for passing up shots to set up his teammates. And Cousins would be taken under the wing of Kevin Garnett, who is considered one of the best mentors and leaders of young big men in the NBA.

The problem for the Celtics is the Maloofs are not interested in doing what's best for Cousins' career. They are looking to maximize their profit margin. With that in mind, the Celtics do not have the pieces to pull off a trade for Cousins.