Reasons DeMarcus Cousins and the New Orleans Pelicans should reunite

DeMarcus Cousins is a flawed free agent prospect with a history. Still, he could serve a purpose next season, and perhaps through Zion Williamson’s rookie contract for the New Orleans Pelicans.

DeMarcus Cousins will put his talents on the open market again this summer. Well, what is left of  his talent after multiple injuries to his lower extremities. The hamstring and Achilles tendon problems of the past two season have unfortunately soured Cousins’ career trajectory. His contract will show as much, and that should interest the New Orleans Pelicans.

Even at 80% of his former self, Cousins would be a cost effective big capable of spacing the floor and grabbing rebounds. After the struggles of this post-season and his year long rehab efforts, he may never reach his all-star level again. That concern will make teams wary of signing Cousins to a long-term, high-dollar contract.

Cousins bet on himself last season, turning down the Pelicans’ offer because it was not the max level contract he desired. It cost him tens of millions of dollars. Now, he will have to take less than ten million a year to rehab his game and standing in the league.

The New Orleans Pelicans also want to rehab their image, and that costs money. Aaron Nelson was brought in to revamp the player health and development program. Having a trainer like Nelson on board is surely an appealing thing for a player with nagging injury concerns like Cousins.

It is a new day for New Orleans Pelicans basketball. What better way for the team and player to show they’ve matured than to give this experiment a second chance?

Say the Pelicans sign Cousins for two years, $14 million. New Orleans will have the space to do this after the incoming Anthony Davis trade. Cousins would recognize Jrue Holiday as the heart of the team. He would also know Zion is the future.

Any malcontent behavior would show a lack of awareness from Cousins. He could be traded off, or waived around the league like Carmelo Anthony. Cousins would be costing himself a chance to rehabilitate himself with one of the most respected NBA minds league-wide in Aaron Nelson.

If Cousins plays adequately in a new contract, the Pelicans would  have done him a solid by giving him minutes. Even if Cousins exceeds expectations, he would not be around for Zion’s second contract. He could give Williamson pointers on his mistakes, though.

Becoming a wise sage type of big that was misunderstood in his youth is Cousins’ best angle to playing another few years in the league. Cousins looks well too slow and turnover prone in the NBA Finals to be a meaningful contributor, but he’s surely not quite back to full strength.

His performances could be attributed to injuries and rust. Game speed is an exponentially tougher pace than any rehab practices. In his rush to get back on the court for a couple more games, he might have cost himself a couple of years’ worth of career earnings.

Using Boogie as a point-center is no longer in his repertoire. The Boogie persona is no longer viable. The second act of his career begins as soon as the Finals are over. The first act was chaotic with a tragic end.

DeMarcus Cousins can still mix it up down low, getting physical and crashing boards. He has the strength and skill to dominate the offensive glass and draw fouls. He does not have the athleticism to play from the top of the key, nor does he have value as a top end talent.

The New Orleans Pelicans could sign DeMarcus Cousins on a bargain contract, with little expectation of first year production. Both the team and player should show patience. The second season would be Cousins’ contract year, and he could be flipped to a contender for a younger player and a pick.