NBA: Cousins Joins Golden State

In what is surely the most shocking signing of this year’s free agency, DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a one-year $5.3 million deal with the Golden State Warriors. Just one day after the Los Angeles Lakers signed LeBron James, the Warriors just had to up the ante. Draymond Green and Steve Kerr reportedly recruited the talented big man to the Bay Area according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. It comes as much of a surprise to everyone because the Warriors are already heavy favorites to repeat as champions but the thought of Cousins joining their ranks puts the reigning champs on a completely different level somewhere in a different universe. We've all seen Marvel’s epic Infinity War, right?
With Boogie, the Warriors are Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet with all six Infinity Stones. And the rest of the league better hope they don't snap their fingers. Cousins joining the Warriors is the exact definition of low-risk high-reward. Boogie hasn’t played since his season-ending Achilles injury back in January but playing in Golden State gives Cousins time to heal properly, compete for a championship, and make a ton of money next year. It’s hard to imagine anyone in his position turning down such an alluring proposition. According to Marc Spears of ESPN, Cousins told him “He was stunned that the Pelicans didn't want him” and “They didn't make an offer for him.”
Although playing for Golden State is an incredible opportunity – obviously it’s a great opportunity – Boogie's decision seemed to be based out of spite towards the Pelicans. Spears also quoted Cousins as saying any “significant offers." With it only being just the second day of free agency Cousins didn't wait very long for any significant offers to come through. From a business aspect it’s hard to argue with New Orleans; Cousins is coming off of one of the worst injuries a player can sustain but to not even extend a significant offer to the best center in the league is borderline blasphemous. Cousins services are worth more than a measly $5.3 million given his career averages of 21.5 points and 11.0 rebounds.
But this is a power move from both the Warriors front office just as much as Cousins. Bob Meyers may be the best GM in all of sports and Cousins will get to show his old team what a championship center looks like. Many wonder should Adam Silver step in and take action and honestly their isn’t much of a case for him to. The Warriors haven’t done anything illegal and they are well within their rights to sign any player for as long as they like; Cousins agreed to the terms. This isn’t a Chris Paul/Los Angeles/New Orleans situation because the Warriors currently have an active owner. David Stern stepped in due to “basketball reasons” because the then, New Orleans Hornets, were briefly owned by the league therefore Stern could deny the trade.
Silver has no say on this matter whatsoever. Moving on ... All isn’t set in stone though since there isn’t a timetable for Boogie's return. Reports suggest that Cousins may be ready to suit up by January but an Achilles injury is a very delicate situation. Chauncey Billups, Dominique Wilkins, and Kobe Bryant are just a few notable players to suffer the same fate as Cousins and unfortunately they were never the same. But there is a “but." Cousins is much younger than those players were during the time of their injuries and at only 27-years-old, time is definitely on his side. Chemistry is also another added variable to the equation. Next to Green, Cousins is considered to be the biggest hothead in the league.
And pairing those two together could potentially be an explosion of emotion every night during an 82-game regular season. A starting lineup of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Green, and Cousins is what nightmares are made of, though. Fortunately for Golden State, there isn't an immediate need for Cousins' return. Adding Boogie is by far the best and biggest signing since the two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant was added to the then, 73-9 Warriors just two years ago. Whatever holes the Warriors had they filled them with Cousins. Only time will tell if Boogie will have a similar impact. Even if he comes back at only 70%: DeMarcus in the cut is a scary sight.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.