The Orlando Magic have explored trading away Mario Hezonja.

The Magic have to decide whether to pick up their $5.2 million option on Hezonja for the 17-18 season by the end of Tuesday.

Orlando discussed a trade of Hezonja for Malachi Richardson and a second round pick.

DeMarcus Cousins scored 41 points and 23 rebounds in his first game back in Sacramento as the New Orleans Pelicans had a 114-106 comeback win over the Kings.

Cousins was traded to the Pelicans in February by the Kings. Cousins was drafted by Sacramento in 2010.

"It was pretty emotional," Cousins said. "I was super nervous coming in. The anticipation was like through the roof. I really couldn't wait for the ball to go up and we could just actually get to the basketball part."

A video and highlight tribute to Cousins played on the scoreboard during a first-quarter timeout as he was formally welcomed back.

"I loved it," Cousins said. "I've got nothing but love for this city. I came here as a kid and left as a man. As I stated many times, I've got people here I consider family. These fans have been great to me throughout the years."

DeMarcus Cousins regrets not pushing for a trade from the Sacramento Kings in 2015 while feuding with George Karl.

Cousins wanted to remain with the Kings at that time, but he was traded less than two years later ahead of the 2017 trade deadline.

“There were plenty of situations where I’m like, ‘Man, why didn’t you just do it this way?’ ” Cousins recently told ESPN. “And there was plenty of times where I was a victim. But at the end of the day, it’s still on me. My biggest regret is not leaving when I had the chance.

“I had the chance, but I fought it. I had the chance to leave, but I didn’t.”

According to an NBA source, Cousins’ representatives told Kings general manager Vlade Divac after the 2014-15 season that their client wanted to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers but was open to other possible deals.

Cousins ultimately told his representatives and the Kings that he wanted to stay.

“I wanted to give it a chance because my representatives told me I shouldn’t stay,” Cousins said. “I guess you could say I was stubborn and loyal. I wanted to make things work.”

Cousins regrets being loyal to the Kings.

“I kind of blame myself for even putting myself at that point,” Cousins said. “You knew coming in this was a business. How are you going to be loyal to something that ain’t even loyal to any player that’s ever played this game? I was a fool.

“But at the same time, it doesn’t change who I am. … I still live by that code. You’ve just got to learn how to separate business and your personal life. And all that did was teach me a lesson.”

The Sacramento Kings have hired Jenny Boucek as an Assistant Player Development Coach on the staff of Dave Joerger.

With 18 years of professional coaching experience and two WNBA championships under her belt, Boucek returns to Sacramento after most recently serving as the head coach of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm for three seasons (2015-17).

Boucek has worked as a coach in the WNBA since 1999.

The Sacramento Kings will hold out Harry Giles through at least January.

Giles and the Kings training staff will focus on a measured and sustained progression plan designed to improve physical strength in his surgically repaired knees.

Giles is otherwise healthy and will continue as he has during the preseason to actively participate in controlled elements during team practices. Given his age, personal injury history and the wealth of scientific research supporting a methodical approach to ACL prevention and rehabilitation, Giles will continue on this track going forward and be reevaluated routinely throughout the program.   

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux), Kevin Pelton of ESPN (@kpelton) and Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated (@BenGolliver) go in-depth on the NBA’s Pacific Division.

They discuss how the Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Kings and Suns fared in the off-season, including which teams improved and what moves stood out. The three also predict the season to come, including projected finish, breakout players and rookies they are most excited to see.

Sponsored by GREATS (http://www.greats.com)

Subscribe to RealGM Radio on iTunes or via the RSS feed.