Fool’s Gold

DeMarcus Cousins signed a $5.5 million deal with the Warriors because “there were no other offers.” Well, actually there were offers. Still recovering from his ACL injury, DeMarcus Cousins turned down a two year, $40 million deal from the Pelicans (Per Marc Stein). Now he’s torn his quadricep, and will most likely lose a lot of money in FA, but at least he’ll get a ring?

Cousins had an okay regular season with GSW. He played thirty games and averaged 16-8-3 on 48% shooting from the field and 27% shooting from three, his worst percentage in five years. Cousins is a good player, a great player even, helping bring the Pelicans from the doldrums to a sweep of the Blazers last season. He was named as an All-Star last year as well, after averaging 25-12-5. Everyone remembers what I’m about to say.

On January 26th, 2018, Cousins tore his ACL and was sidelined for the rest of the season. Anthony Davis, Cousins’ teammate, and superstar power-forward wore Cousins’ jersey as a sign of respect at the All-Star game, which Cousins was unable to attend. The Pelicans would continue to support Cousins throughout his rehab and in the summer offered him a hefty sum as mentioned prior.

Cousins said “nah” and signed with Golden State, still injured, and I think we all know why he did that. For the city, duh. Who doesn’t want to live in Oakland?

Cousins’ ring will be worthless in the grand scheme of what winning the finals is all about. Dirk Nowitzki’s ring is more valuable than Cousins’ future ring and KD’s two rings combined, and until these guys can get it done without joining one of the best teams ever, I won’t acknowledge their rings as much as someone like Dirk, or the 2016 Cavs.

Cousins will enter FA most likely an NBA champion, but with a very unknown future. He just came off of an ACL, and now a torn quad. He shot the worst he’s ever shot from three in the last 5 years and we’ve known for a long time what his temperament is like AND now we know what his loyalty is like. I’m asking the question, “whats the market for DeMarcus Cousins?”

If I am an NBA GM, especially a GM with a well-built and well-run team, I don’t want to take the risk of adding a hot-head like Cousins. If I am the GM of a middling team I would be thinking, “can Cousins bring us to where we want to be?” Even if I am the GM of a bottom 10 team I am still asking the question, “what can he bring?”

Cousins will most likely not get a max, and he will likely not sign for a contender, so now I am asking, DeMarcus, is the ring worth it?