Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins wants to be considered one of the best centers in the NBA, and as he enters his year in the league, he's seeking the opportunity to work with one of the greatest centers in Shaquille O'Neal.
Last month O'Neal pledged to principal owner Viverk Ranadive to help "make DeMarcus Cousins the best big man in the game."
That's something Cousins is more than willing to do, but he says he still hasn't be able to connect with O'Neal since his pledge.
"I have not heard from Shaq at all," Cousins said. "Not a tweet, DM (direct message), nothing."
Cousins is also reportedly looking for a maximum extension, and the Kings can offer up to a five-year deal worth approximately $80 million, making him the team's Designated Player.
The deadline for Cousins to sign that extension is by October 31, and if the two sides can't come to an agreement then the big man will become a restricted free agent on July 1, at the conclusion of the 2013-14 NBA season.
The only questions that remain are whether Cousins is deserving of an extension deal. Though his talent level is high, his bad attitude and effort have been called into question during his first three seasons in the league.
Cousins has career averages of 16.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game over 220 games. He's missed more games due to suspensions than to injury or illness.
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