Since being traded by the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Pelicans unexpectedly last year, DeMarcus Cousins has been counting down the days until his first reunion with his old team.That moment will come on Thursday night when 'Boogie' makes his hugely anticipated return to face his former employers for the first time since he was shipped out.In an interview with ESPN in August, Cousins made it clear how much he was looking forward to this encounter."Oh, my God. I can’t wait. I’m praying [we play the Kings] the first game," he said.He didn't get them in the opening game but he hasn't had to wait long as he heads to the Golden 1 Center in the Pelicans' fifth game of the campaign.Ahead of his clash with Sacramento, the 27-year-old spoke with ESPN's Marc J. Spears and opened up about his time with the franchise and revealed one big regret he has."My biggest regret is ... why didn't I leave when I had the chance?" said Cousins."I had the chance, but I fought it. I wanted to give it a chance. My representatives they told me I shouldn't stay. You know, being ... guess you can say stubborn and 'loyal,' I wanted to make things work."The three-time All-Star had a toxic relationship with former head coach George Karl who approached the front office with the idea of trading the big man.Cousins caught wind of this and took to Twitter to post his now infamous snake in the grass tweet.

But the center wishes he would've taken that opportunity to leave and avoid the drama that ensued with Karl who was eventually fired.

"I should have left when I had the chance, and avoided it all, because they told me what would happen," Cousins said.

Prior to the trade deadline, the Kings decided that it was time for their star player to move on and news of the deal with New Orleans broke on the day of the All-Star game where Cousins was informed while he was talking to the media.

The former Kentucky product felt betrayed by the move as general manager Vlade Divac had told him he wouldn't be traded.

"All last year, I felt like that's all it was about. I got traded, and 'he hates Sacramento,' and that kind of fed into it. At the end of the day, it's a business," Cousins added.

"I kind of blame myself for even putting myself at that point. You knew coming in this was a business. How are you gonna be loyal to someone that ain't loyal to any player that's ever played this game? I was a fool."

We can certainly expect to see Cousins playing with a fire in his belly come Thursday night as he attempts to get one over on his old team.