The Golden State Warriors have pulled off the most shocking move of the NBA offseason with the expected addition of All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins on a one-year deal worth $5.3 million.

There had been no previous chatter that Cousins was heavily considering joining the Warriors as a potential landing spot in free agency. According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, the 27-year-old had reportedly narrowed down his choice to two options in Golden State and the Boston Celtics.

This had put him in the mix to join one of the top tier teams in the league to compete for an NBA title in what will be his first trip to the playoffs. The chance to join the defending champions alongside four other All-Stars was likely too hard to turn down as he's part of the unquestioned top team in the league. No other team has a more talented starting five.

Article Continues Below
More NBA News
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (bottom) react after a play against the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center
Why Thunder enter Game 2 confident in its ‘response’ vs. PacersJosue Pavon ·
Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) reacts after a play against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at Alamodome. Carter Bryant
3 players Toronto Raptors must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftZachary Howell ·
Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy alongside a shadowy player in an Utah Jazz jersey, NBA Draft pick
Utah Jazz’s perfect outcome for No. 5 pick in 2025 NBA DraftDavid Yapkowitz ·
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Stephen A. Smith still won’t call Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton a superstarQuinn Allen ·
Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Obi Toppin sends confident message after miracle Game 1 comebackDavid Yapkowitz ·
May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Reggie Miller is seen after game six of the eastern conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Watch Reggie Miller’s ecstatic reaction to Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winnerZachary Draves ·

Cousins is a game-changing player when healthy as arguably the best center in the league when healthy. There isn't any certainty that he will be the same player once he returns from the torn Achilles tendon, but there is no rush or pressure for him to return to the court before he's physically ready to do so next season.

The fact that Celtics were in the running shows how compelling their situation is with their plethora of young talent along with the return of their two All-Stars in Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving from injury. Despite losing out on adding Cousins to the mix, Boston is expected to be one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference next season.

That said, all the focus is on the Warriors putting together an even more dangerous team that many are already penciling in as the overwhelming favorite to win their third straight NBA title.