In a conversation with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, DeMarcus Cousins explains that he chose to pursue a deal with the Warriors – calling GM Bob Myers himself – because he hadn’t received any offers from other teams, adding that Pelicans GM Dell Demps said New Orleans didn’t plan to re-sign him.
Recognizing that he wasn’t going to get a maximum-salary deal, Cousins opted to play for a title contender for one year, aiming to rebuild his value in advance of 2019’s free agent period. “This was my ace of spades. This was my chess move,” Cousins told Spears.
It’s somewhat hard to believe that no team was willing to offer Cousins a contract before he accepted the Warriors’ $5.3MM offer, and that’s especially true of the Pelicans, who had insisted all along that they wanted to re-sign the star center.
According to Will Guillory of NOLA.com (Twitter link), Cousins never formally met with the Pelicans during free agency and may not have officially made an offer, but general numbers had been discussed and there was an “understanding of what each side was looking for.” It’s not true to say the Pels didn’t want Cousins, Guillory adds.
Still, it’s certainly fair to say that NBA-wide interest in Cousins wasn’t as strong as many observers expected. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (video link), Cousins’ Achilles injury and a lack of cap space around the league were factors, and so was his image. “There were teams with [cap] space who did not want him in their locker room and didn’t want him in their organization,” Wojnarowski said.
Here’s more on free agency’s most shocking contract agreement:
- The Pelicans had a tentative meeting with Cousins scheduled for the coming days, but that meeting obviously won’t happen now, sources tell ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
- Lowe’s piece includes several other tidbits of note — he confirms Woj’s report that a number of teams had a “No Cousins policy,” and hears from sources that Cousins’ people were calling around on Monday and pitching deals to various teams. The big man’s camp proposed a one-year, $15MM deal to one club, but clearly there wasn’t a ton of interest, Lowe adds. For what it’s worth, Lowe is skeptical that Cousins’ deal with the Warriors will merit the kind of “hype” or “anguish” that it’s received so far, since his health and fit are still question marks.
- While a previous report indicated Cousins narrowed his choices to the Warriors and Celtics, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link) hears from a league source that the Celtics didn’t get a chance to make a formal offer. The C’s heard Cousins might have interest in coming to Boston, but by the time they began looking into it, his deal with Golden State was done, says Himmelsbach.
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer takes a look at the NBA system that allowed the Warriors to add Cousins to their super-team, exploring whether the idea of a hard cap could gain momentum or stop this sort of move in the future.
- We rounded up several more Cousins-related notes on Monday night.
Given this info, not sure how the Warriors get any hate on this. Boogie called them and no other team was giving him any offers. What are they supposed to do, not take a deal?
Agreed,…. my hang up is no entertainment or competition,.. it’ll be like watching Olympic basketball. you know who wins gold before it starts…
You have a guy that is almost 7 foot and 270 lbs coming back from a ruptured Achilles. I don’t see any way that he is a dominant force for that team next year. This is more about name than production. I can’t recall any player returning from an Achilles injury and being even remotely the same player within one season, let alone a big man.
That’s what people are neglecting: The injury. Even when he’s “healthy” he isn’t going to be the monster he was last season. He’ll certainly be much better than any center they had last year but he’s not going to be a 20 and 10 guy. Luckily for the Warriors they don’t need him to be.
Agreed. Not as bad as I first thought
Warriors are definitely not the bad guys on this one- Cousins dropped in their lap, a number of teams could have had him. really his market was simply not there- look at Cousins track record.
Cousins was difficult in Sacramento- granted Sac has its issues as well- but you have to wonder when a small market team is willing to let their only star go- because they felt it was gain by subtraction. Kings played better basketball w/o Cousins.
Pelicans- look at the record- better team w/o Cousins
History- Cousins hasn’t always showed up in shape and his work ethic was questioned in Sacramento.
Achilles injury is difficult to come back from- requires intensive rehab- does Cousins have the disposition to handle the work and the inevitable physical drop off ?
This is a great move for the Warriors- they don’t need him to be a superstar- I’m sure the Warriors are planning for Damian Jones to be the 5 of today and tomorrow- Cousins gets to come back only when he’s recovered, and will get minutes on a championship squad. If Cousin falters or becomes a distraction – he will be moved to the Hawks or the Magic.
You do realize that free agency hasn’t officially started yet, right?
Hm I’ve heard the Lakers offered a one year 20 mil deal
I love these “I heard” comments. Lol. Quote your “sources”
I wonder if this presses on Danny Ainge’s ego a little and has him loosening the belt around his assets for an Anthony Davis.
The Pelicans aren’t gonna compete in the West anytime soon, mind as we’ll rebuild for a 2025 title run. Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart(Sign and trade) Rozier, and Sacramento first round pick, Memphis first round pick oughta do it. Sure Davis’ is a generational talent, but you don’t hang 1st round exit’s in the rafters.
Throw in Marcus Morris. Now’s a good time to make an offer.
Not that the Pelicans would want to do it anyway, but there’s a CBA rule that prevents the Celtics from trading for Davis this year if Kyrie is still on their roster.
why is that Luke Adams?
Both Irving and Davis received designated rookie scale extensions.
Per the CBA FAQ:
“There is a limit to the number of designated players a team can have on its roster at a time. A team can have up to two designated rookies (who received a longer rookie scale extension) and up to two designated veterans (who received higher than the 30% maximum salary) at any time. However, only one designated rookie and one designated veteran may have been acquired from another team in a trade.”
Because they traded for Irving, the Celtics couldn’t acquire a second designated player (Davis) in a trade too while both are still on their current deals — but they could do so if/when Irving signs a new contract with them.
Please explain further. Would that rule still apply if Kyrie was part of the trade?
Both Irving and Davis received designated rookie scale extensions.
Per the CBA FAQ:
“There is a limit to the number of designated players a team can have on its roster at a time. A team can have up to two designated rookies (who received a longer rookie scale extension) and up to two designated veterans (who received higher than the 30% maximum salary) at any time. However, only one designated rookie and one designated veteran may have been acquired from another team in a trade.”
Because they traded for Irving, the Celtics couldn’t acquire a second designated player (Davis) in a trade too while both are still on their current deals — but they could do so if/when Irving signs a new contract with them (or if Irving is traded, as you suggest).
Right the “Rose rule” except there were tons of reports about the Celtics making offers for Anthony Davis previously. They must have been aware of the Rose right ?
Many of those reports came before the Kyrie trade. Also, it’s an obscure enough rule that I imagine many reporters (especially beat writers, who aren’t really paid to know every single cap rule) WOULDN’T be aware of it.
Horrible trade tatum would have to be included. Rozier, morris are worthless rotational players. Gotta give up something good to get something good man.
Well I guess the deal is off then!
You’re getting something in two draft picks and Jaylen Brown. Rozier and Smart are just sprinkles on top.
I was thinking the Lakers did
Kind of a weak defense. I hope a team comes out and says they offered him the max 1 year, spineless turd. I think his injury is more severe than we understand.
It definitely feels like a PR move to avoid some of the negativity raining down upon him and the Warriors.
Neither the Warrior or Cousins care about PR
Yes. It shows.
hahahaha yeah because if they cared about public perception they wouldnt try so hard to win another championship. if you win 2 titles in a row its an unwritten rule apparently that you dont improve your team and let the “smaller guys” win one
it had been 40 years before warriors had won a title and 39 since they had even won the division but once you get 2 titles you need to stand pat and not go after anymore “premier” free agents to improve your team.
So 29 teams, independent of each other, all decided they did not want Cousins hanging around in the lockerroom for 6 months unable to play, despite his prime age and past production.
They can’t complain then, or me either, unless conflicting info comes out.
IMO, the injury may prevent him from doing complicated things unusual for someone his size, but he should still be able to do basics.
DMC is done the right thing, so has GSW… fans that feel salty about it you should be getting in touch with your teams & ask why didn’t you wanna sign the best center of the last 5 years? That is the question & the reason for fans to be mad at 29 teams, though happy for GSW to keep him playing in the NBA