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Prior to pulling the trigger on the signing that shook the NBA, the Golden State Warriors turned to a familiar source for some advice.
DeMarcus Cousins called general manager Bob Myers for a potential agreement, but before the former Executive of the Year could lock it down, head coach Steve Kerr turned to former assistant Alvin Gentry for some insight on their potential new signing.
“I just said you have to be straight up with him,” Gentry told Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News. “I enjoyed coaching DeMarcus. I think he is a talent and I think he wants to win. I think that if you got those two things right there, you have an opportunity to have some success. We had success with him. I wish him nothing but the best.”
Gentry noted the Pelicans front office had interest in bringing him back, but no agreement could be reached.
According to reports, general manager Dell Demps offered a two-year, $40 million contract shortly after he suffered a torn Achilles, but took the offer off the table once Cousins turned it down.
The Pelicans did not make an offer over the free agency period, which only riled up Cousins even more after New Orleans agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with forward Julius Randle.
Cousins had perhaps his best NBA season with the Pelicans, averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from beyond the arc.
His injury leaves some lingering questions, but his character has been green-lighted by someone the Warriors hold in good faith.
