For the first time in his NBA career, All-Star DeMarcus Cousins is slated to play in an actual playoff game.
Having signed a one-year deal with the defending champion Golden State Warriors, Cousins’ free-agent market last summer took a major hit after he suffered a torn Achilles with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Now an impending free agent, it seems that Cousins is not over the entire debacle that led to his departure from the Bayou.
In talking with Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports just recently, Cousins opened up about the drama that has enveloped the Pelicans — namely former teammate Anthony Davis requesting a trade. He didn’t hold back.
“I knew Pelicans would lose Anthony Davis once they didn’t re-sign me,” Cousins said. The Pelicans initially offered Cousins a two-year, $40 million extension after he tore his Achilles. That offer was pulled back after Cousins turned it down.
In the end, one of the game’s most-talented big men opted to chase a ring on a one-year, $5.4 million deal with Golden State.
Months after Cousins’ departure from New Orleans, Anthony Davis requested a trade.
We have absolutely no idea how everything would have turned out if the Pelicans retained Cousins. They initially acquired him from the Sacramento Kings during the 2016-17 to form an elite front-court duo. That led to a playoff appearance.
Things have gone horribly awry for the Pelicans since. As it relates to Cousins, there’s a decent chance he decides to re-sign with the Warriors. Money aside, things have worked out better for him than his former team.