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Warriors: Is Adding DeMarcus Cousins Worth the Risk?

By Andrew Ites

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 22: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls during a NBA game at the Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 22: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after scoring against the Chicago Bulls during a NBA game at the Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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The Warriors have added a fifth All-Star to their roster in DeMarcus Cousins. Is a talented but temperamental center like Boogie worth the risk?

The Warriors only had one true center under contract for the 2018-19 season after JaVale McGee left for the Lakers in free agency.

Golden State made a major splash in filling that void by signing free agent center DeMarcus Cousins.

Adding a 27-year-old four-time All-Star center on a one-year $5.3 million deal seems like a no-brainer, but there are a couple of significant risks in this move.

The first risk is Boogie’s Achilles injury.

Cousins ruptured his Achilles in a game against the Rockets on January 26th, and it is unclear whether he will be healthy when the 2018-19 season begins in October.

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Pelicans general manager Dell Demps said Cousins was “right on schedule” in his recovery a week ago, but that doesn’t give us much of a timetable for his return.

Basketball players don’t have a great history of recovery from this type of recovery, but getting an All-Star in the prime of their career at this price mitigates that risk.

The other risk in signing DeMarcus Cousins are his character concerns.

Cousins has been a model citizen off the court doing plenty of work with various charities, but he has a checkered history with the referees and not getting along with teammates.

Boogie’s tenure in Sacramento did not reflect well on his character for multiple reasons, and he doesn’t always give his best effort on the court. He looked to improve in both of those areas during his time with the Pelicans, but he still does not get along well with the referees.

The Warriors finished tied for the league lead in technical fouls last season, and now they are adding a player who ranked second in the NBA in technicals per game.

Golden State may have had some chemistry issues in the locker room last season according to some rumors, and adding Boogie Cousins might not help those chemistry concerns.

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There is a very good chance that this move works out and the Warriors are completely unstoppable with Cousins in the lineup. However, there is an equally good chance that Cousins becomes a malcontent, doesn’t come back fully healthy, and hurts Golden State more than he helps them.

The Warriors were heavy championship favorites before signing Boogie, and I think this move has more downside risk than upside. If I was in Golden State’s front office, I would’ve spent that money somewhere else.

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