Elite big-man DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a contract with the defending world champions, the Golden State Warriors.
By signing the deal, Cousins ends the partnership he had acquired with the New Orleans Pelicans and MVP-candidate Anthony Davis. Cousins had been playing with the Pelicans for about a year-and-a-half until his all-star season was cut short by a horrific Achilles tear. With the severity of Cousins’ injury, teams were wary to accept a deal with him and, as Cousins himself put it, zero offers were extended to him during his time as a free agent.
Teams disrespected Boogie and y’all mad he made them regret it pic.twitter.com/UQINPp8SGz
— Comp Bayless (@2kCompGames) July 3, 2018
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Cousins has been selected as an all-star four times in his time in the league. He was also selected to the All-NBA Second Team roster twice in his career in addition to being awarded All-Rookie First Team in 2011.
By agreeing to the contract with the Warriors, Cousins will make around $5.3 million dollars in exchange for one year of his services. It has been reported by Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports that defensive powerhouse Draymond Green and Warriors general manager Bob Myers took the reigns in the recruitment of Cousins. It has also been noted that the All-Star center spoke with the Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr.
Draymond Green was the one who led the recruitment of Boogie to the Warriors, per @ShamsCharania https://t.co/QY9wSWy7uL pic.twitter.com/kivncquevF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 3, 2018
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Cousins averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks a game while shooting a cool 47% from the floor. Cousins was seemingly going for a career year in New Orleans before his injury. This should be music to Golden State’s ears as they picked up an elite big-man for a great price.
Wake Up Call: Time to Boogie in The Town https://t.co/wYsxxuzGOH pic.twitter.com/nVFPYx0hOf
— NBCSAuthentic (@NBCSAuthentic) July 3, 2018
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Cousins will likely not be ready to return to action until around December or January, but Golden State is the perfect place for DeMarcus to rest up for the postseason since they don’t need immediate help from him on the court. If DeMarcus can put up similar numbers this year with the Warriors when he becomes active, he could be looking at a lucrative contract deal next summer when he will become a free agent again.
So Boogie is still on the Warriors? That wasn’t a crazy dream? #NBA
— ProCity Hoops™ (@ProCityHoops) July 3, 2018
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On the flip side, New Orleans will miss DeMarcus’ production next season as they will lean heavily on Anthony Davis’ shoulders.
With Golden State big men Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee on the move, the Warriors clearly made this move to help strengthen the depth of their squad. This move will likely help Golden State to keep a good grip on the Western Conference and the league in general.
