Golden State Gets Even Better; Adds DeMarcus Cousins to All Star Lineup

The Golden State Warriors have few weaknesses, as evidenced by their winning of three of the last four NBA titles, including a four game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers this season in the Finals. One area was at the center position, which had been adequate but certainly not spectacular.

Well, no one can accuse Golden State of sitting on its laurels. Seemingly within seconds of declaring for free agency, the team resigned Kevin Durant, which was not unexpected. Then the team pulled off a surprise, and went after New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins, one of the premier names out there and a top of the line center. The Warriors signed Cousins to a one year, $5.3 million deal, and when he gets on the court, Golden State will have five starters–Cousins, Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green– who have all been All Stars multiple times. It probably didn’t require much arm twisting by Golden State to get Cousins to sign; in eight NBA seasons with Sacramento and New Orleans, Cousins has yet to play in a postseason game.

Cousins averaged 25.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game with the Pelicans last season, but went down with a season ending Achilles injury in January after 48 games. Due to the injury, it is not certain when Cousins will actually get in the lineup; some are speculating he won’t get into a game until January. But the Warriors are certain to have a very good record by the time he gets on the floor for the first time, and the sky is the limit after that.

Here’s a Cousins’ highlight reel from last season: