DeMarcus Cousins is expected by many around the NBA to leave the Sacramento Kings in 2018 when he's eligible for free agency.

"They're fooling themselves if they think he's sticking around," said one league executive. "The good news for them is his value will always be high. There isn't a point of no return in which you're not getting high value for him. Teams will bid against each other in the trade market. Maybe [Cousins] doesn't go for the biggest money in free agency but you'd love to have that card to play."

The Kings have two trade deadlines and one offseason to consider trading Cousins before he's free to leave on his own.

Sacramento is hoping Dave Joerger will be able to quickly connect with Cousins the way Michael Malone previously did before he was fired.