New Orleans Pelicans centre DeMarcus Cousins has signed a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors for a paltry $5.3 million (USD), according to multiple outlets in the US.
The 27-year-old, who was originally selected by Sacramento with the fifth pick in the 2010 draft, makes a Warriors team that already seems unbeatable that much scarier.
Twitter was quick to award the 2018-19 championship to the Warriors, with social media abuzz at not only the addition of a freakish talent to an already horrifyingly talented roster, but the fact he signed at well below his market worth in what clearly looks to be a brazen ring chase.
Despite rumblings of Cousins not always being the best teammate, the numbers over his career have been undoubtedly impressive.
In six and a half seasons with the Kings and two and a half with the Pelicans, Cousins has averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds and three assists per game. Last season he averaged career highs in rebounds (13) and assists (5), while also contributing a healthy 25 points per game too.
Cousins, however, has been wasted on poor teams throughout his career, with the Pelicans semi-final loss this season his first ever trip to the playoffs.
He’ll no doubt be looking for greater success with his new team.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think that may be getting a little caught up. Because it is a one year deal they won’t have his bird rights, some of the articles I’ve read suggested he really only gave up about 3m this year and if he plays well returning from injury he will get a long term contract well in excess of what the Warriors will be allowed to offer him. Plus it is difficult to see everyone taking less for ever, especially when some are sacrificing more than others and they’d have won three in a row.
Jerry
Guest
Oh also, they won't win 74. Firstly, they're gonna conserve energy in the regular season after 4 straight deep playoff runs. Secondly, Cousins isn't gonna play until January or even later so won't make that much difference to the regular season record.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, he wasn't giving that much up. With his rep for attitude problems and achilles injury, teams weren't offering him close to max. He could maybe have gotten $10m this season but that would be the absolute max, most reports I've read said teams weren't considering offering him more than the mid level exception which would be $3M more than GS offered. So he gives up that, but gets a ring and hopefully proves himself fit so he can cash in next off season when more teams will have cap space. It sucks for everyone but GS fans, but you can't really fault either party.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I'd rather a "brazen ring chase" then a money grab
Julz
Guest
He'll definitely go there just to get a ring. But man, one stacked team, and one stacked conference, it just getting ridiculous. East is all but done. Win the West = NBA champions, simple as that. Jordan was right when he said there's only 2-3 good teams and the rest is trash. I'm OKC fan but I'm gonna root for the Celtics as well. Hope they make the finals and beat any West team other than OKC.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Boogie was never getting $20 million this year coming off an achilles injury and certain to miss at least 50% of the regular season. Sure it is a brazen ring chase (and it's better to have one than not - ask Barkley), but the real reason is an extended audition to the rest of the NBA when he is back on the court to show he's healthy so he can get that max or close to max deal the next year.
Mushi
Guest
To be fair the market for him was lukewarm. Here he gets a ring (assuming the warriors private jet doesn’t crash and wipe out the team, which seemed the only impediment to a threepeat) can showcase some skills and then chase a max contract next year.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Can you imagine having so much money that you could forgo - what are we talking $15-20 million dollars?! ..... Wonder if 74 wins will be on the cards...
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Well, in this case he's signed for one year. As mentioned, it's probably just a "brazen ring chase". In other words. Move there for a year to get himself a ring, and then move on from there to get serious money somewhere else after that. But then, if you can just plug into the team for a minimal contract, guarantee a ring, and then move on, they could always potentially replace him with someone else looking to do the same next year!
Lara
Guest
King Curry just welcomed Cousins with open arms....this GSW roster is not only scary, it could reign for another 5 yrs ....7 in a row ... the NBA will never be the same again
Scott Pryde
Expert
There goes my interest in the NBA for the next 12 months.