Golden State Warriors: 7 blockbuster trades for Anthony Davis
Trade No. 4
The Pelicans haven’t entertained any offers for, but if they started to, it would likely start with a combination of current talent and future prospects. This deal has a solid mix of both.
Assuming Klay would commit to New Orleans, the Pelicans would receive Cousins who could be dominant down low and Klay Thompson who could help space the floor for Jrue Holiday. The pick doesn’t play a huge factor, but it does allow New Orleans another shot at drafting an elite talent.
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Looking at a mid-February return, Cousins would be able to come in and help New Orleans potentially compete for one of the remaining playoffs spots in a tight Western Conference. It’d be a risk for New Orleans, but if he returns to full strength, they could then toss him a max the following offseason.
Cousins and the Pelicans didn’t part on bad terms. He wanted big money, and they refused to offer him that. They didn’t believe that he’d bounce back to full strength. However, they could be given another chance to retain the superstar.
If the Pelicans could retain both Thompson and Cousins in the 2019 offseason, they’d have a tremendous roster with a solid mix of young talent and developing talent. They could have their own Big 3 and be a force in the West.
The Pelicans could get screwed if Cousins and Thompson both leave, rendering their trade a colossal failure. They’d need that commitment, and it’d be hard to get, making this deal also somewhat unlikely.