DeMarcus Cousins is quite possibly the best NBA player right now to have never made it to the postseason, and the New Orleans Pelicans are in a position to give him that opportunity for the first time in his career. Well, as long as they don’t trade him, of course.
The good news for Cousins, though, is he doesn’t think that’s going to happen. Despite the fact that he is on an expiring deal and the Pelicans could use some help elsewhere on their roster, Cousins is under the impression that he is still going to be in New Orleans after the trade deadline passes.
Cousins spoke to Marc Spears of The Undefeated regarding his future, and said that while he understands basketball as a business in a way that he never has before, he is still optimistic.
“I am confident in my team,” Cousins said. “I am starting to understand this business a lot more than I did before. You can kind of tell when things are about to come about. We’re a very competitive team. A talented team. I don’t think that will be the case at all.”
As for what will happen once he hits the open market, well, Cousins still isn’t sure. Spears wrote that the big man will give the franchise “serious consideration,” while Cousins says that Anthony Davis understands his situation but still hits him with “little jabs all the time.”
Cousins is having one of his most productive years ever, averaging 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, and a career-high 5.1 assists per game. He’s in line to make a ton of money on the open market, whether that’s with the Pelicans or elsewhere.
