NBA Free Agency: Why Cousins doesn’t pass OKC Thunder litmus test
By Noah Schulte
Teams expected to pursue Cousins:
Per the norm, as anyone with a remotely big name, the Dallas Mavericks are expected to be huge players in Cousins’ free agency. And given their current cap situation, they have a better chance than you’d expect for a lottery team. They’re likely the only team that can offer him serious long-term money. After his scary Achilles’ injury and lacking resume, that could be a big factor in his free-agency process.
Of course, the Pelicans also could be potential players in free agency. Although they don’t quite have the money Dallas has, their playoff appearance last year and expected roster might be enough to convince Boogie to stay.
But his free agency is pretty much anyone’s guess at this point. Almost no one has gobs of money just laying around this summer. And much less so for centers coming off Achilles’ injuries who’ve never reached the playoffs.
Fit with OKC
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If I were Sam Presti, I’d be awfully hesitant to sign Boogie. For one, the Thunder don’t have cap room to gamble on this year. Especially after Carmelo Anthony picked up his expensive option. And a locker room with all of Melo, Cousins, and Russell Westbrook might just self-combust halfway through the year.
The old adage of “talent trumps all” still applies in this situation. However, given his injury history and previous track record, there might not be enough talent to overcome his glaring flaws. If the team could somehow negotiate him down from the max contract he’s expected to demand, he’d be worth taking a look at. But at his current price, the risk is too great.
Lastly the fit on the court would be awkward, to say the least. Signing him would force Steven Adams to the bench and in all likelihood significantly hurt the defense. While offensively he’d take the ball out of Russ’ hands and cramp the spacing of the court, especially when Andre Roberson makes his way back.
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Boogie is a generational talent capable of doing everything you could ask offensively but he’s almost un-signable at his current price, even without his Achilles’ injury.