DeMarcus Cousins shocked the NBA world by signing for the Golden State Warriors' mid-level exception of $5.3 million after getting no calls on July 1 as he hit unrestricted free agency.
But don't expect Boogie to be willing to take the same deep discount next year if his recovery goes according to plan, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
“The Warriors have no such expectations with Cousins. Next summer — assuming they bring back either Klay Thompson, Durant or both, which would cap them out — they can only give Cousins a 20-percent raise, which jumps him from $5.3 million to around $6.4 million.
If he returns healthy and looks like even 80 percent of the player he was before last January’s Achilles tear — an outcome both the player and team desire — Cousins will command way more than that max Warriors number, likely in the high teens per year. And he won’t be in the discount mood, understandably, considering all the money he lost out on this summer.”
While this was a last resort move for Cousins — one that would allow him to make a deep postseason run and showcase his talents for potential suitors in the upcoming free agency period — there is a realistic expectation from both sides and no false hope, taking this deal at face value.
Cousins is a double-double machine, which the Warriors haven't had since Wilt Chamberlain was gobbling up boards for the Philadelphia Warriors. His talent and skill set will be of major use in the quest for a three-peat, but assuming Golden State remains loyal to Thompson and Green, Cousins is unlikely to stay unless either of the two walk.
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