Executives around the league are keeping a close eye on DeMarcus Cousins and the Pelicans this season. One Western Conference team executive tells Chris Mannix of The Vertical that Cousins, who will be a free agent next summer, could cost himself a sizable deal if things don’t go well in New Orleans.
“This season is huge,” said the anonymous Western Conference team executive. “He has to prove he can win. He has never played with anyone near the talent of Davis. He has to show he is willing to sacrifice for the team and do what is best for the team first. He really needs to turn a corner. If he acts up, he will cost himself a lot of money.”
Another Western Conference executive echoed that sentiment, telling Mannix that “there’s no way to overstate it—there is huge money on the line.”
The 26-year-old big man remains focused on the upcoming campaign and refuses to worry his contract situation. “I’m not real concerned,” Cousins said. “I know people know my talent. I’m past all that.”
Cousins came to New Orleans via a trade deadline deal that sent a package centered around Buddy Hield and a first-rounder to Sacramento. The Pelicans went 7-10 during games in which Cousins played. Could it be that having two 6’11” behemoths in the same lineup is no longer a sustainable model for building a winning team? Cousins doesn’t believe that to be true.
“I think the game is actually playing into our hands,” Cousins said. “I think me and A.D. have a skill set that a lot of bigs don’t have in this league, or the league hasn’t seen in some bigs throughout the history of the game. I think it actually plays into our hands, and we’re just rolling with the punches. I don’t think [a smaller game] will effect me or A.D. at all.
“That sample size we got last season is the reason I’m so confident this season. I believe we can make it work, and I think we’re going to surprise a lot more people than people actually expect. For some reason we’re being counted out, but that’s actually OK. We’re going to surprise a lot of people this season.”
I think Cousins is actually right, but they are woefully deficient on the wing to maximize this tandem. They can stagger their minutes during the regular season but they just don’t have the players to make this work the best way it should.
I agree. The problem in New Orleans isn’t Boogie or AD it’s everyone else on the roster. You need some deadly shooters and they frankly just don’t have it. Maybe if both of the bigs can show sustained ability to stretch the D it will open the floor but it’s really 2 and a 1/2 men down there
Put shooters around them and they’re set. theres absolutely no excuse for missing the playoffs. You have 2 of the most dominant players in The nba. You surround them with a college level supporting cast and they should be an 8 seed.
The posturing by execs is obvious. Cousins is a max next year regardless of how they do. He’ll average 20 and 10 and shoot a high percentage to boot.
no shot with Alvin as coach
Signing Clark from the Warriors is a very good first step for the Pelicans outside shooting…….The dude can shoot
It’s not a big man league anymore . Pelicans should find a versatile 4 man who can shoot the 3 consistently and play AD at the 5.
lol these executives are full of s***. Even with centers out of favor in the league, Cousins will get huge money from someone. He’s getting a max deal regardless of how this season goes. If it goes badly it will be easy to blame it on the pairing of two bigs, not enough shooting/spacing on the floor.
Yes but a max deal from the lakers is more enticing then a max deal from the
Than the hornets*
Dretorade hit it on the head. This team going nowhere with “Albatross Gentry” at the wheel!
“OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH”! The Comments so far on here are Very Frustrating after every Article, because it really shows that the Pelicans fan base are WEAK! “Oh its not enough, ” “We Don’t have enough Shooters ” “We don’t have enough Wings” “Alvin Gentry is screw everything up as a Coach if we did have all that we need! ” It goes on and on!
I mean it’s not like we want them to be bad. I’d love for the Pelicans to become a challenger in the West to the Warriors just due to the contrast of styles. But as is, they seem like they’ll be lucky to even make the playoffs
I know I’m in the minority, but I’m a Cousins fan.
He was an a-hole in Sacramento, no doubt, but there have been no issues in New Orleans.
The guy gives his time to good causes and gets no credit for it. And technicals aside, I love his game on the court.
Much rather have him than Carmelo or Irving.