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Kings: How Divac won DeMarcus Cousins trade and brought back ‘beautiful basketball’

Two years have passed since the Kings traded brooding big man DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans — two wondrous years.

Cousins lorded ominously over this organization for nearly seven seasons, scowling, glaring and glowering at anyone who bleated a whistle or pointed criticism in his direction. Cousins was charitable in the community and immensely talented on the court, undoubtedly one of the best players in team history, but general manager Vlade Divac changed the franchise’s fortunes for the better when he sent Boogie to the bayou.

“That was basically one move, but with a big plan,” Divac told The Bee on Wednesday, the two-year anniversary of the trade, while the Kings (30-27) prepared to face Cousins for the first time as a member of the Golden State Warriors (41-16) on Thursday night at Oracle Arena in Oakland.