Big man DeMarcus Cousins is perhaps the biggest name left among free agents besides Kawhi Leonard, but there doesn’t appear to be much of a market for him, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said during an appearance on the network (video link). According to Wojnarowski, it’s not even necessarily a lock that Cousins will exceed the one-year, $5.34MM deal he signed with the Warriors a year ago.
In a separate appearance on ESPN’s Get Up (video link), Woj suggested that a one-year deal below $10MM for Cousins appears to be the most likely scenario, while ESPN’s Tim Bontemps pointed to the Lakers as one team that might be a fit in terms of cap room — but only if they fail to land Leonard.
Here’s more on some of the remaining free agents:
- Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins (Twitter link) hears that Kawhi Leonard met with the Clippers on Monday night, though Perkins believes the Lakers have the “upper hand” of the two L.A. teams. After meeting with the Clippers and Lakers, Kawhi is expected to give the Raptors the chance to make the final pitch before he finalizes his decision.
- The Mavericks are in “strong position” to land free agent shooting guard Danny Green, regardless of what happens with Leonard’s free agency, tweets his podcast co-host Harrison D. Sanford. According to Sanford (via Twitter), Dallas views Green as a valuable floor spacer and locker-room presence.
- With approximately $4MM in cap space and their $4.8MM room exception still available, the Knicks have checked in on free agent wing James Ennis, tweets Ian Begley of SNY.tv. According to Begley (via Twitter), the Lakers and Clippers are also among the clubs that have touched base with Ennis since free agency started.
The thing about Cousins is that canyon sized chip on his shoulder. Yeah, he’s diminished, no doubt… but he also contributes nothing positive to a locker room. The best you can hope for is he won’t hurt a locker room. That would take a really strong team with great leadership.
This is a common criticism, but there’s no evidence to support it. Cousins was a great teammate in Golden State, was great in New Orleans, and was great under his last coach in Sacramento.
I think Cousins has made some mistakes, but who didn’t when they were 20 or 25?
Cousins isn’t getting paid because he’s a ball dominant center, and that’s not something that the modern NBA values. It’s too bad too, because Cousins is a heck of a player.
i would like to see him sign for the vets min with the ROX and they can trade capela for another wing.
There is tons of evidence… listen to every interview he has ever given. He’s deeply sensitive and quick to anger/take offense. He was an absolute cancer in Sacramento. He became a better in the locker room when he was on a great team… like the warriors.
And he wasn’t better, he just wasn’t a problem… because the team had klay Durant steph and draymond. It wasn’t his team.
Dude you’re crazy. You don’t like the abrasive Cousins that’s fine but his locker room mentality has been solid since he was in NO. Dude expresses himself. That doesn’t make him a guy everyone hates.
That team that improved dramatically AFTER he tore his Achilles….
Stop hating! If you don’t like DMC… shows your lack of basketball knowledge, but it is your opinion, the reality is that DMC is one of the nicest guys ever to play in the league.
Guy’s who fly straight, low key! But the guy’s who want it All !!!!
Absolutely correct in your assessment of Cousins.
That team is the Miami Heat.
Him and Butler would be 2 peas in a pod or a complete disaster.
At 75% of his All Star form he’s the starter. Still would be a huge backup option to Bam.
Riley and Spo know how to handle big egos, that’s for sure.
Miami definitely has the infrastructure in place to deal with Boogie.
Lakers should jump on Cousins @ under 10 mm if KL goes elsewhere. AD doesn’t want to be a FT C, and he played and got along, well with Cousins in N.O. Not really sure I see much of a need with the Clips (particularly if they bring Zubac back, their 1st round pick can play now, and of course Harrell).
I’m sure the Lakers and Clips are each rooting for the Raps to get KL if they don’t, but the standpoint of filling out their own roster, each would be better off if they had the remaining FA playing field to themselves, at least at the 30 mm level.
Cousins is injury-prone and uneven and cannot handle the pickandroll. He is wired to be narcissistic though though he has learned to handle that. His physical decline is like a splinter in his paw.
Other centers available: Zubac Birch McGee WCStein Boban Nene Theis Chandler Noah Faried
Whatsup with source Kendrick Perkins…Where is he going with this?