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Top five takeaways from DeMarcus Cousins trade to the Pelicans

DeMarcus Cousins

4. No long-term commitment from Cousins

Cousins has one year remaining on his contract. It was also reported on Sunday that he would avoid signing an extension with a new team this summer if he were indeed traded. This makes a ton of sense. Cousins and his reps have no idea how the entire situation is going to play out in New Orleans.

How will the dynamic of an inside scoring offense play in a Western Conference that’s filled with teams that rely on the wing for their points? Yes, we’re looking at the Warriors, Rockets and Spurs here.

Cousins can still receive a larger contract if he were to re-sign with New Orleans. It might not be as big of a deal as what he would have inked if the big man signed a long-term contract with Sacramento. Still, it’s more money than any other team around the Association can offer him. That will surely play a role here.

As it relates to the Pelicans, they pretty much gave up three consecutive drafts to add Cousins to the mix. Hield was a top-10 pick this past year, and the team handed over its next two first rounders in the trade. It’s akin to adding a top-tier free agent while exhausting assets in the process.

The obvious hope in New Orleans is that Cousins changes his ways and becomes a capable second option behind Davis. But if he attempts to make the Pelicans his own, this will cause some major friction in the locker room. Simply put, New Orleans is run by Davis. Cousins can’t expect to change that. If he does, his stay in the Bayou will be short-lived.

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