Just when you thought everyone was going to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers thanks to LeBron James moving to Southern California, the best team in the NBA and this year’s defending champion just got 10 times better. At least on paper, for now.
The Golden State Warriors have signed DeMarcus Cousins to a 1-year, $5.3 million dollar contract, according to Yahoo Sports.
Free agent DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a deal with the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2018
Cousins will sign a one-year, $5.3M deal with Warriors, league source tells ESPN. https://t.co/LaTLH3oOTB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2018
The Kevin Durant tax savings on his contract now goes to the signing of DeMarcus Cousins. The Warriors tax bill is now $34.8M with four open roster spots. Had Durant signed for the $35.6M max, Golden St. would have had a tax hit of $52M.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 3, 2018
ESPN Sources: DeMarcus Cousins had narrowed his choices down to Golden State and Boston.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 3, 2018
Golden State Warriors newcomer DeMarcus Cousins told ESPN's The Undefeated that he had no significant contract offers when free agency arrived, but had already mentally prepared himself for possible disappointment due to his recovery from his Achilles' tendon injury. Cousins…
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) July 3, 2018
The 3rd splash Brother 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. Let’s go @boogiecousins
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 3, 2018
The “Third member of the Splash Brothers” (damn, what does that make Kevin Durant? The fourth member of The Beatles?) has taken a discount to play half the season for the Warriors, who now have an entire All-Star team full of players on their roster wearing their jersey.
Think about the lineup by the postseason: Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Boogie.
This ensures no huge expectations on DeMarcus heading into next season (besides getting healthy), because he won’t to rush back to the court. Plus, he can still get paid while enjoying the path to a championship. The discount is essentially for being in the Bay Area and rehabbing until February and then giving other teams that work in the playoffs.
After next season, he can decide what he wants to do for the future. According to ESPN, KD’s new deal helped make this deal happen.
As of now, the flex is super real in Oakland. It’s game over for the league when the playoffs come around and Dub Nation has a healthy Boogie in the starting five.
From JaVale McGee to DeMarcus Cousins. Think about that.