DeMarcus Cousins agreed to a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors on Monday for the taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.3 million. That low of a number for a multiple time All-Star was staggering, and NBA fans collectively threw their hands in the air and waved the white flag for the 2018-19 season.
However, Cousins’ signing likely doesn’t have that significant an impact on Golden State given that the big man is working his way back from a ruptured Achilles, which has long been one of the most devastating injuries to come back from in NBA history. Cousins likely won’t return until December or January (or possibly later being that the Warriors can afford to let him take all the time he needs), and when he comes back he might not be the same guy he was.
There is a chance he makes a strong recovery, in the manner Rudy Gay did last year, and can regain a significant portion of his abilities on the court. Because of that possibility and the relatively low opportunity cost of $5.3 million, many wondered why no one else, particularly the Los Angeles Lakers, tried to take a similar risk as the Warriors.
L.A. apparently had the opportunity to bring Boogie in at a similar price, but passed on the chance. On Wednesday, Marc Stein reported the reason the Lakers chose not to bring Cousins in was they are in “win now” mode and felt they “couldn’t afford” not having him around until possibly January.
More on the Lakers and DeMarcus Cousins: League sources say they remain Cousins fans but felt they had to pass on signing him now — even at a reduced rate — because the Lakers don't share the Warriors' luxury of waiting until January or February for Cousins' return from injury
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2018
Magic Johnson and Jeanie Buss — collaborating, I'm told, on all aspects of the Lakers' planning — want the team to be as competitive as possible next season and thus felt the timing didn't allow for signing a player, however talented, who could miss half the season or more https://t.co/5ZU9kOvg4v
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2018
A reminder that this is the same front office that has, since landing LeBron James, agreed to one-year deals with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee, and Rajon Rondo for a combined $27.8 million. I understand that once you bring in LeBron you suddenly feel the need to add veterans and win now, as that’s almost assuredly what James has asked you to do. However, I refuse to believe that you can seriously look at those four players in the year 2018 and say with confidence that all of them make your team more likely to win, especially on one-year deals — not to mention, they still have $6 million in space that could’ve been used on Cousins and will now be used on [checks free agents list] Alex Len?
There is absolutely risk in signing Cousins. I am not naive enough to believe he’s going to come back as the same player and there’s not the very real possibility he is a shell of his former self. However, there is also the possibility he is still a dominant offensive big man, and if that is the case he would impact the Lakers in a far more positive manner than pretty much anyone else they’ve signed on a one-year deal to this point.
KCP is a fine signing, as he fits a need around LeBron as a quality shooter (38.3 percent from three last season). Stephenson, however, is curious for so many reasons, but even when just considering on the court he’s a 28.9 percent three-point shooter and his reputation as a defender far exceeds his actual productivity on that end at this point in his career — the Pacers were 6.6 points per 100 possessions better on defense with Lance off the floor compared to when he was on it, which is likely a reason he was let go this summer.
Rondo is still an effective player and is the “high IQ” type guy LeBron has noted he wants to play with, but he also can’t space the floor and seems like a weird fit around James. McGee is probably the most sensible signing, as he’s become a steady defensive presence at the rim, cost them a minimum contract, and doesn’t need the basketball to do his thing offensively (which is mostly rebound and roll to the rim).
These players, Stephenson aside, aren’t net negative players, but they also aren’t moving the needle an awful lot in transforming the Lakers into some real contender this season. That is the issue I have with the apparent reasoning they’re leaking out behind not signing Cousins. You can say you don’t think he’ll be able to be close to the same player anymore, and that would be fine. You could have, before bringing in the rest of these guys, said he’s not the personality fit you may want. The one thing you absolutely can’t sell me on is this roster as a tremendous “win-now” squad when it’s so clearly obvious that all of these one-year signings are to kick the can along until 2019 when they can go out and sign Kawhi Leonard or another star to a max to pair with James.
I understand not wanting to tell your fans you just signed LeBron but that this season isn’t the one you’re really planning on going for it in, but please don’t lie to the people and act like you can’t sacrifice a $6 million contract because he might not play until January when, first, you’re the Lakers, second, the market isn’t flush with talents that are going to suddenly fill a huge need immediately, and third, you gave Lance Stephenson $4.5 million.
