The New Orleans Pelicans got bounced out of the playoffs in the second round by the Golden State Warriors, four games to one. However, they could have had a better performance opposite the Dubs if they had DeMarcus Cousins around to beef up their frontcourt. Cousins injured his Achilles back in January, forcing him to miss the rest of the 2017-18 campaign including the postseason.

While there’s never a good time to suffer an injury, Cousins sustained his at an inopportune period, as he’s about to hit free agency in the summer. His injury is likely to play a big role with regards to how big and how long his next contract will be. When asked by a fan about the likelihood of Cousins playing somewhere else starting next season, NBA.com’s David Aldridge had an intriguing response, even mentioning the possibility of a Cousins-Hassan Whiteside trade scenario.

I think a short deal is possible, but again: there just aren’t that many teams who have the means or the interest in doing so. Dallas could; the Mavs have long been rumored to have strong interest in Cousins, and their roster and style of play are fits for him. The Bulls have the room but I don’t hear anything indicating they have interest. Robin Lopez has a year left on his deal and I think Chicago is happy with him; the Bulls want to play fast going forward, and that’s not Cousins’ strength. Miami wants to move Hassan Whiteside, but I can’t see New Orleans being interested in a sign-and-trade deal for him involving Cousins.”

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The Miami Heat have a Hassan Whiteside problem as of the moment with the shot-blocking big man apparently not in good terms with the team following a tumultuous playoffs experience. Whiteside averaged just 5.2 points and 6.0 rebounds in 15.4 minutes in five games before the Heat got eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.

If the Heat are truly considering swapping Hassan Whiteside for DeMarcus Cousins, it obviously would shock Aldridge, who does not believe that the Pelicans are willing to get involved in such a blockbuster transaction.

In his first full season with the Pelicans, Cousins averaged 25.2 points and 12.9 rebounds in 48 games.