(Tip of the cap to Aaron Bruski, who brought this to my attention)

It's perhaps a bit easier to understand the reluctance to extend DeMarcus Cousins, as Malone hadn't really worked with Cousins at all at the time the extension was signed. And it certainly seemed that Cousins and Malone built a strong relationship during their time together. But Rudy Gay? An emerging theory is that the Kings waited to fire Malone until after Gay was extended, since Gay was such a fan of his coach. That Malone apparently wasn't on board is a real shocker.

Over the next few days we're likely to continue seeing various reports painting all of the involved parties in a negative light. There will be truth to most of these accounts, but keep in mind that the sources of various reporters are pushing their respective agendas. Look at reports with a an eye on who benefits, collect all the anecdotes, and then remember that at the end of the day the truth likely falls somewhere in the middle of it all.