Warriors add another all-star in Cousins
TORONTO • LeBron James one day, DeMarcus Cousins the next. The NBA off-season has not wasted any time in capturing the world’s attention.
A lot of people are upset Cousins signed a one-year deal with the already loaded Golden State Warriors. Oh well. Get over it, especially if you are a player. The players could have prevented Kevin Durant and Cousins joining up with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green had they agreed to let the one-time salary cap explosion of a few summers ago be eased in.
A lot of horrible contracts were signed, making money tight both last year and this summer, and Cousins said he wasn’t getting offers. He made a fantastic call for himself. He can rehab his torn Achilles tendon at his own pace, knowing the Warriors will win at least 60 games whether he plays 10, 20 or 50 games for them. Only five players suited up more often without making the playoffs than Cousins (552). Now, he has an allbut-guaranteed trip, at worst, to the Western Conference final and it would take a bunch of injuries for the Warriors not to win another title next June. You can’t fault Cousins or the Warriors for the deal.
According to Elias, the Warriors will be the first team since the 197576 Boston Celtics to boast five allstars from the previous season.
PACERS KEEP ADDING
Indiana was likely the most surprising overachiever in 2017-18. Led by most improved player/all-NBA guard Victor Oladipo, the Pacers defied prognostications by about 15-20 wins, something Cory Joseph razzed the media about last week when Team Canada took on the Dominican Republic.
Indy took eventual finalist Cleveland to seven games and now has a far better future than the Cavaliers. Adding Doug McDermott for three years and US$22 million just minutes into free agency was a bit of an odd call, but McDermott is an elite outside shooter and those types never go out of style. On Tuesday, the team also agreed in principle to a one-year, $12-million deal with Tyreke Evans. The 2010 rookie of the year returned to form last season, averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Memphis Grizzlies.
WIN-WIN DEAL
Trades don’t always work out for both sides, but Philadelphia’s acquisition of Wilson Chandler from Denver looks like it should. Chandler is a proven scorer and a longtime NBA starter who will add depth and veteran leadership to the up-and-coming Sixers, who also receive a second-round draft pick. The Nuggets need to open up more playing time for recently re-signed Will Barton and with Paul Millsap now healthy and Trey Lyles coming off of a good season, Chandler was no longer a necessity. More importantly, the Nuggets save $50 million in combined luxury tax and salary by removing Chandler from the books.
AROUND THE RIM
Point guard Dante Exum, a former No. 5 overall pick, and the Utah Jazz agreed on a new threeyear deal for $33 million … Cleveland’s lost another big man. Jeff Green followed James out of town Tuesday, signing with Washington for one year and $2.5 million … Evans wasn’t the only former rookie of the year on the move. Michael Carter-Williams took a one-year minimum contract with Houston … Avery Bradley returned to the Los Angeles Clippers and that team will now have to do something about its glut of guards.