How? I wouldn't pick them to win a series because of coaching and depth and chemistry issues, but they could definitely compete. Spurs are only 6-5 vs the Pelicans since 2014. And both Cousins and AD own the Warriors. Warriors have 3 close wins against the Pels this year. The Kings beat the Warriors once, and were up at halftime in the other two, but the Warriors pulled away in the third like they usually do against teams. Now you add both. Yes the team still has many flaws, but those individuals create serious mismatch problems. also Spoiler
It'll be interesting to see how they build the team this summer. You got AD and Cousins taking up almost $39 million in cap room, another $32 million tied to Asik/Hill/Moore/Ajinca so that's a total of $71 million. Then you got Holiday who is due for an extension.....
@WojVerticalNBA The Kings were at significant risk to lose a 2017 Top-10 protected pick to Chicago, and trade increases chances to hold onto it.
Cousins is not a rental. He'll be a free agent after the 2017-18 season. While he can try & leverage the situation (being a FA), Pelicans still have this offseason & next February to deal him if for whatever reason it doesn't work out. Langston Galloway? They're reportedly waiving him. Tyreke Evans? Kings traded him a few years ago(2013) to New Orleans for Greivis Vasquez. Buddy Hield? He's a rookie. They're just banking on his potential. What the hell has he proven? 6th pick? I don't care. (http://bkref.com/tiny/Plar5) 1st round pick? Who the hell knows. Maybe they'll draft more guys like Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Jimmer Fredette, Thomas Robinson, Ben McLemore & Nik Stauskas.
agreed. it's going to depend on how they build their team around the two if they extend cousins. don't they swap this pick anyways? correct me if i'm wrong
It's fascinating that the Pelicans will have the most productive front court in a guard's era with 3pt shooting becoming far more emphasized. Davis and Cousins can shoot threes too, but they don't have an overall roster good enough to do much damage in the West. They won't be able to win much just shooting twos. Who's running that team? Not like Davis and Cousins will be running their own plays together. Pelicans getting the 8 seed now still isn't automatic. Nuggets might still be better than them.
And New Orleans is going to be nasty. This is the death of small ball, when you have to have your PF defend Anthony Davis. If New Orleans can add some 3 & D guys on the wings. You can't play small ball 5 like Draymond against this lineup, this will force teams back into the paint. And Cousins/Davis are both versatile enough to shoot 3's or long 2's. Wow what a team this could be. They're going to get the #8 seed and give the Warriors a tough 1st round series no doubt.
Once again IF a deal gets done by Morey it will on trading deadline with players not being able to play because they need to clear physicals. Boo! I wish he can get the deal done before Thursday so players can be ready to play on Friday.
