NBA: 3 ripple effects of DeMarcus Cousins injury

2. Boogie unlikely to see pay day he’s been seeking

Prior to his abbreviated stint with the Golden State Warriors last season, DeMarcus Cousins had averaged at least 22 points and 11 rebounds per contest during a five-year span from 2013-14 through 2017-18.

This included an MVP-caliber season with the New Orleans Pelicans two seasons ago.

That season, Cousins suited up 48 times for the Pels, posting averages of 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and an astounding 5.4 assists per contest. Sadly, that season proved to be the beginning of a series of unfortunate events for the nine-year veteran.

The reason why Cousins played just 48 games for the Pelicans in 2017-18 was due to an Achilles injury that forced him to miss the rest of that campaign and most of last season as well.

Surprisingly, Cousins reportedly turned down a two-year deal from New Orleans that was said to be worth around $40 million.

By the time the season was over, the offer was subsequently rescinded and he was forced to sign a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Dubs.

Then, in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs against the LA Clippers, Cousins went down with a torn quad injury that was expected to keep him out for the rest of the postseason.

But after 45 days, he returned to the lineup and posted three double-digit scoring outings in the six-game set against the Toronto Raptors.

Fast forward to the present, this latest setback represents the third major injury for Cousins over the past 19 months.

Given the fact that the market for his services was not a huge one to begin with, most NBA teams will be hesitant in terms of signing him to a long-term deal when he does return to the court.

In other words, while Cousins was well within his right to bet on himself, the chances of him landing a big payday following yet another injury are very slim.