DeMarcus Cousins‘ free agent decision probably won’t ultimately have the same impact as LeBron James‘ move to the Lakers, but Cousins’ agreement with the Warriors has generated even more discussion over the past couple days based on the shock factor. While many NBA observers expected James to land in L.A., few saw Boogie heading to the reigning champions.
We’ve already relayed several sets of Cousins-related notes, rumors, and other leftovers, but they continue to trickle in today, so we’ve got a few more to round up. Let’s dive in…
- The Lakers are fans of Cousins, but felt like they had to pass on him this year because they want to be as competitive as possible in 2018/19 and couldn’t afford to wait on the big man’s recovery from his torn Achilles, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter links). Cousins is trying to make it back for training camp, but is expected to be sidelined until December or January.
- ESPN’s Zach Lowe echoes Stein’s sentiment, tweeting that the Lakers never had serious interest in acquiring Cousins this summer, even after trade talks for Kawhi Leonard stalled (at least for now). Stein had reported last night that the Lakers had the opportunity to sign Cousins “at a one-year price point similar to the one that landed him in Golden State.”
- According to Sam Amick of USA Today (Twitter link), the Rockets – who also theoretically could have offered Cousins the taxpayer mid-level exception – didn’t consider him a good fit, and had “zero interest.” Amick and Lowe (Twitter links) both point out that not being guaranteed a starting spot may not have appealed to Cousins anyway. Houston remains “all-in” on starting center Clint Capela and plans to match any offer sheet he signs, Amick notes.
- In a full article for USA Today, Amick explores the history of notable NBA players suffering Achilles injuries, examining how Cousins’ career might be impacted going forward.
You wanna beat the Dubs, you gotta roll the dice. Hope this one doesn’t haunt Magic. Loyalty means everything. Expect Cousins to remember that at seasons end…
Dubs don’t need him until the playoffs, Lakers need bodies to start jelling ASAP. Simply did not make sense to sign a guy who won’t play at least half of the season. Already have Deng doing that!
Loyalty? Why would LA need to be loyal to Boogie?
well i assume he meant that if they were loyal enough to pay him when he was hurt than he might have been more willing to sign a bigger deal with them at the end of the year
Add Mike Conley of the Grizzlies. With that big contract and the injury, all Memphis can do is hope!
Boogie ended up in perfect spot to recover. Lakers don’t need slow-it-down center – especially one who doesn’t play defense, or run the break. Super talented, but not the right fit. …and oh, btw – Magic – please keep the kids!
I do hope Boogie comes back to haunt the Lakers both in the playoffs & moving forward.
Really shocking that if healthy Houston would rather Capela than DMC… SMH
Cousins is one and done on that kind of contract. Capela is gonna be there for the long term
Lebron said no Boogers
If Lebrick had wanted him, Magic would have worked it. No brainer just to keep him away from Evil Empire West for Mid level exception!!! MLE money is chicken feed in NBA..Would Magic have signed Boogers if Lebrick had not decided to come here? DUH
I said the same thing about getting Mcgee away from them– Mcgee kills the Cavs. And apparently Lebron noticed! But yes, take that 1/$5 Cousins too.