In a wild 2018 free agency window that saw LeBron James committing to the Los Angeles Lakers long-term with a four-year, $154 million max deal and Paul George take a leap of faith with the Oklahoma City Thunder with a four-year, $137 million max deal — it was DeMarcus Cousins who stole the headlines.
The mercurial big man, who was rumored to decide between returning to the New Orleans Pelicans of joining James with the Lakers, took an unexpected turn, locking down a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors for the $5.3 million mid-level exception.
The move took the NBA by storm and sent shockwaves of fear for those in the Western Conference, as a dynastic team like Golden State added even more firepower.
Here is the when, the how, the why, and what can be expected of this mega-signing for the league's next All-Star roster.
The Domino Effect: How the Lakers play a large part in their own demise
Shortly after making a splash on July 1 by agreeing to terms with King James, the Lakers signed three straight one-year deals, retaining shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, adding the Warriors' JaVale McGee, and a dynamic Lance Stephenson.
Julius Randle, who was a restricted free agent, was reportedly “done” with Los Angeles after having to fight for the starting power forward spot last season under Luke Walton. The Texas native ultimately met with the team, only to ask them to renounce his rights, making him an unrestricted free agent and ease the process of signing with a different team.
He quickly agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the Pelicans, which automatically sent red flags to Cousins, as the Pelicans would now have a frontcourt consisting of Anthony Davis, Nikola Mirotic, and Randle.
Damaged goods are now the goods to damage you
While one of the NBA's best talents, teams were still hesitant to sign Cousins after he missed the last 34 games of the 2017-18 season with a torn Achilles.
There were teams with cap space, who didn't really know what to do with regards to Cousins, as it was long known that he wasn't going to play a full season, and didn't know how he would come back from it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBwybn1utco
Cousins grew irritated, as he went from being a sure-fire max-level commitment the Pelicans had to lock down at this time of year, to potentially expendable, as the team seemed to do just fine without him, locking down the sixth seed in the West and sweeping their way to the next round of the playoffs.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers struck while the iron was hot, and thanks to some major convincing from former Olympic teammate Draymond Green — who has had a part in reeling in most signings in recent memory — the team pressed the right buttons to get Cousins to commit.
As big as a f*** you deal as it gets
Cousins is a mercurial personality due to his emotions, his passion, energy, and motor are as much of a factor as his volatility.
That also factors into his personal life, and him being irate at the Pelicans already signing Randle this fast into free agency likely sealed the deal for Cousins to make a statement.
The Warriors, as usual, sold him on a winning culture, an All-Star cast, and the most fun he could have on a basketball court.
There was only one impediment — the money.
Cousins was considered a max-level guy after averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game last season before hitting the shelf, and his willingness to take the Warriors' $5.3 million mid-level exception was the biggest “f*** you” he could give the Pelicans, turning into the Boogieman of their nightmares.
Cousins will now see the Pelicans four times a season (even if he's in street clothes for some of them), and he will not hesitate to put the hurt on his old team after the faith in him went out of the window.
Blame it on the Boogie
As the famous song by The Jacksons once said — “Blame It on the Boogie.”
Many have questioned the NBA's parity even before Cousins agreed to sign with the Warriors, and do so now even more; but the Warriors are playing by the same rules as every other team, and getting the unrestricted free agent to agree to a substantially cheaper deal than the max is not a fault, but a merit.
Twenty nine other teams had the chance of making a similar offer, or to pitch Cousins into a reason to join their team, but the Warriors not only have the hardware, but a desirable location, and a culture in place that has proved irresistible to free agents like Kevin Durant, Nick Young, David West, McGee, etcetera.
Cousins' decision to leave millions of millions on the table while giving himself a chance to go for big money next offseason is in fact a smart move, but one other teams had never seen coming.
Truth be told — even if other teams had caught up to his willingness to take less in order to be welcomed with open arms — no other factor speaks louder than success, and no one has proven more successful than the Warriors throughout the last four seasons.
What to expect from this blockbuster signing
Cousins won't be available until December or January, as an Achilles injury will take some extra time to heal, especially for a 270-pound big man who is putting a lot of weight and torque into that tendon.
His recovery will be closely monitored by this experienced medical staff, but it is his competitive fire that will have to be looked at the closest — saving him from himself as he nears a complete recovery and ensuring he takes his time and eases into full health.
The Warriors are already $16.9 million into the luxury tax with only 11 players under contract for 2018-19 once Kevin Durant's and Cousins' impending deals become official after the July 6 moratorium period is over, but are only expected to make three additional signings — keeping their roster at 14 players.
Cousins brings a tool set at the center position that no other player has brought to this franchise since Wilt Chamberlain played for the Philadelphia Warriors.
A big man with a deft finishing touch at the rim and power that will haunt opponents at the offensive glass, coupled with a mid-range touch and added 3-point range — Boogie is the full package — having proven a capable defensive stalwart, blocking shots, and rebounding in double digits for his entire career.
Steve Kerr will be asked to earn his new contract
The Warriors started to kick the tires on a potential contract extension with coach Kerr, and once the sides agree to terms, they will expect him to work for that money, as he has over the course of the last four seasons.
The quest for a threepeat will be a different animal on its own this time around, but handling two fiery personalities in Green and Cousins will prove a challenge that will test Kerr's coaching ingenuity and his ability to maneuver this stacked roster while keeping everyone happy.
In the best case scenario, Green and Cousins' fiery personalities would cancel one another and be able to keep each other in check through stretches of the season, sharing the same intensity and competitive fire — but the worst case could be that the Warriors overloaded the gas chamber and the slightest spark could set it ablaze.
Kerr has proved to have an innate ability to handle egos and making players buy into this team's ball-sharing, fun-loving style of play — but having five All-Stars would be the ultimate challenge, and one that could ultimately put a stamp on his legacy as one of the best at managing characters.
The Warriors will be the first team since the 1975-1976 Boston Celtics to suit up five All-Stars in one starting lineup, but the process of doing so in the modern era will prove Kerr's biggest achievement yet, considering he's already taken over a team after missing half a season with health concerns and won a record 73 games in a season despite of that.
Warriors' front office brought a gatling gun to a sword fight
If there is something that Golden State's ownership has proved over the course of the last few years, is to expect bold, aggressive moves.
From the unpopular trade of Monta Ellis and risky addition of Andrew Bogut, to swinging for the fences and acquiring Durant in free agency, this ownership group of Joe Lacob and Peter Guber have shown that they have the money and they're absolutely not scared to spend it — especially if it translates into championships.
So far, it has — and the front office has echoed that same sentiment, pulling the right strings to make what seems impossible a reality.
Truth be told, the Warriors are playing by the same rules as everyone else in the league, but they're not about playing the scared game and will not hesitate to bring in the big guns if they feel it's necessary.
That commitment is an organizational sentiment, and one that is reflected in players, coaches, assistants, and front office personnel.
From Draymond Green staying home right after a grueling championship run to scout prospects prior to the draft, to Bob Myers using his former player-agent charisma and connections around the league to tickle the right spots and facilitate these deals.
The Warriors getting Cousins is a direct byproduct of their sheer aggression and a maniacal desire to win more championships. While the Lakers are throwing knives and hatchets to the San Antonio Spurs in hopes to pry Kawhi Leonard away from their grasp, Golden State has fired at will with a gatling gun, and they plan to make every bullet count.
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