Despite garnering plenty of eyes as one of the biggest free agents on the market, DeMarcus Cousins was confused in Las Vegas, yet to receive an offer from the New Orleans Pelicans, despite counter-reports saying that he did.

“I was shocked. I didn’t believe it. It was a rough, pretty emotional night,” Cousins told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated in a phone interview on Monday night.

Pelicans general manager Dell Demps had told Cousins months into his recovery that he did not plan to re-sign him. That promise proved true, as Cousins went the vast part of the first two days of free agency without a team inquiring about his services.

“I was f***ed up,” said Cousins. “I said to [my agent] Jarinn, ‘Let’s make a call.’ He was shocked. It was very insulting to not receive an offer. But I understand. I prepared myself for this.”

Cousins called Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers, knowing the team; already elbows deep in the luxury tax, would only have a $5.3 million mid-level exception to offer him.

The possibility of joining the defending champions would start with Cousins' deep voice telling Myers: “Hey, this is DeMarcus Cousins… got a minute?”

Myers acted swiftly, sold him on a winning culture, unselfish teammates, and a chance to bolster his stock with a championship team that is shooting for its third straight title.

Cousins has never made the postseason, as the Pelicans made it to the Western Conference semifinals with him on the shelf this year. Chances are, he'll have his first taste of the playoffs wearing the blue-and-gold this time around.