For the first time in his career, All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins will head into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent but there doesn't appear to be a clear-cut plan ahead.
The tearing of his Achilles tendon back in late January has shifted things tremendously where the market for his services could be significantly dwindled down. Despite all that, Cousins' high school and NBA coach Otis Hughley recently stated on Scoop B Radio that he believes that the 27-year-old wants to stay with the Pelicans, via Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of Basketball Society.
In his two seasons with the Pelicans, Cousins has developed a strong bond and connection with New Orleans helping form a dynamic duo alongside All-Star big man Anthony Davis as a key piece to the puzzle. However, the team's success with him out of the lineup reaching the playoffs and reaching the second round does raise some question in terms of if he is still a strong fit for the franchise.
There is no question that Cousins is one of the most talented players in the league that can impact the game greatly with his presence on both ends of the floor. He was also in the midst of another highly productive campaign where he averaged 25.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks that helped him earn his fourth straight All-Star game selection. However, there is no certainty that he can return to being the same dominant player he was prior to his torn Achilles tendon.
It is a potentially career-altering injury that could prevent him from playing at the same level he once had that made him one of the league's best big men. There is also the question of how much he could be looking to obtain on the open market that could dictate the level of interest from the Pelicans. There are many factors at play here, but it's clear that Cousins wants to remain in New Orleans as his first choice.
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