I think that's what Boogie and the agent are leaking to try and prevent blowback from other players about the contract he took. I don't believe he had zero offers unless he purposely didn't meet with other teams so that he couldn't get official offers.
The Pelicans were in luxury territory and obviously not thrilled about going in that zone for Boogie, they knew they were heading there though, they resigned Holiday to a max deal, resigned mediocre/bad players like Hill and Asik to double digit contracts...and now they basically left Cousins go to the Warriors after they traded Hield, Tyreke, a 1st rounder and a 2nd rounder for him one year ago...nice job Demps. I'm really not sure we can consider the Kings the worst organization out there anymore, they're definitely well accompanied.
As a consultant I fly through and have been to Atlanta more than I'd like and lol Atlanta sucks big ass.
YES. Woj and Spears may not have lied, but Cousins YES. Why wouldn't he? LOL at not receiving a single offer. That's a blatant lie. Why are you surprised? His agents are the ones who have learned the ropes under Dan Fegan.
Let's be clear here though, it isn't necessarily a lie. It may very well be true that he never got an official offer. His agent may have spoken with teams who gave parameters of deals that they said they weren't interested in. No offer made.
It makes for a better narrative "Boohoo, I didn't get one single offer but by the grace and generosity of the Golden State Warriors, I am able to be on a team and play the game I truly love"
A turned down offer it's still an offer. "I didn't find an offer that I liked so I went to the Warriors" is different than "I didnt' get a single phonecall and a single offer"
That's not a turned down "offer" though is my point. Technicality. "We'd be willing to sign your guy for $10 million or so if he's interested in playing in ___________." Agent responds by saying he'll get back to them. No formal offer was made which means Boogie can say he didn't receive an OFFER. An offer is a specific thing. I 100% refuse to believe that ZERO teams contacted Boogie's agent to gauge interest level other than Golden State. In fact, Chris Haynes reported this: Now riddle me this... How does a player choose between two teams if he only has one offer? Hmmmmmmmmmmm
Rumor is that he was pissed at New Orleans and he was going to pick one of the two best places to join to win a championship. That would make sense then as to him choosing between Golden State or Boston as both of them had their MLE's (Boston having a non-tax payers MLE). He knew either one could sign him for that amount.
Not only that. Other reputable journalists have reported that: NOP offered more money and more years Portland wanted to sign him with a S+T and his own agent nixed it because of Nurkic. Who is the liar? I don't care if it's technicality or not. Don't come here crying and playing the victim. At the very least own it up. I am a ring chaser with no competitiveness.
So did they get no offers because the agent didn't take calls and Boogie just picked his next destination? Is this like Lebron the summer he went back to Cleveland saying he got no "offers." I mean he didn't technically.
Danny Ainge: Look, DMC, we love you but I don't know if what you're looking for is what we can give you. So how about we-- Cousins: Wait, are you offering me a contract? Danny Ainge: Well, let me get to that-- Cousins: Is there an offer on the table? Danny Ainge: Well we're on a conference call so there's no table-- Cousins: So no offer? Danny Ainge: I didn't say th-- End call. Cousins then used his "Ace of Spades"
At a minimum a sign and trade was broached with Portland. That may not technically be an offer but this idea that nobody wanted him except Golden State is preposterous.
Zach Lowe's article kinda explains it a little. Several teams just didn't want any part of him. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23979341/zach-lowe-demarcus-cousins-golden-state-warriors-nba