The New Orleans Pelicans and DeMarcus Cousins are counting on each other to change their perception around the league.
The New Orleans Pelicans are going all in this season. After making the trade to acquire DeMarcus Cousins, the Pelicans put themselves on the clock. With Cousins becoming a free agent next season, New Orleans cannot afford for this expirment to fail.
Ironically Cousins cannot afford for the experiment to fail either. Cousins has never made the playoffs in his eight seasons in the NBA and the excuses have worn thin. Cousins’ attitude has garnered just as much attention as his top tier talent.
It is for this reason that the Kings traded him for a sub-par trade package and why general managers across the league are a bit hesitant to offer Cousins big money.
However, even with all the questions of fit coming into the season New Orleans undoubtedly made the right choice in taking the gamble on Cousins. Even with the perceived risk, adding Cousins was likely the only chance for New Orleans to add an elite talent next to Anthony Davis.
Although, it also may be their last chance. Adding Cousins changed expectations for the team and is last gasp effort for the Pelicans to prove to Davis that he can win in New Orleans.
Losing DeMarcus Cousins after a season and a half could prove to be the last blow for a team that has continually watched talent leave for greener pastures.
The Pelicans have added Rajon Rondo, Darius Miller and Ian Clark to shore up depth this offseason. The core is built around the newly re-signed Jrue Holiday, the aforementioned DeMarcus Cousins and, of course, Anthony Davis.
On paper the roster has enough to talent to be a playoff lock. However, the West is tougher than ever. The Pelicans also still face questions about roster fit. Current head coach Alvin Gentry prefers to play an up-tempo style of basketball which Cousins and Rondo struggled with in Sacramento.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
The positives for the Pelicans is that DeMarcus Cousins seems to be more focused than ever. His weight loss this offseason has been well documented. Cousins is looking to prove that he is a leader and a player teams can build around.
For years Cousins has been plagued with terrible rosters and a dysfunctional front office. Now, the Pelicans have been far from a model organization. Still, they did make the playoffs three season ago and have a cornerstone player in Anthony Davis.
The debate with Cousins for years has been whether it was the front office or his attitude that led to the Kings futility. This season is the year that we finally receive that answer. The Pelicans are betting that they can get the best out of Cousins.
To their credit, they have done a good job of helping him adapt. He has bought into the vision of the front office, and has helped orchestrate roster moves.
Now, all of that is fine and good but the real test will be when the season starts. Both sides are investing in one another. The Pelicans are investing in Cousins to turn their franchise around. While Cousins is investing in the Pelicans to turn his reputation around.