Report: DeMarcus Cousins may consider re-signing with the Warriors

Golden State signed the All-Star center knowing he’d only be there for one year. But that may not be the case.

The Golden State Warriors signed DeMarcus Cousins knowing full well that the four-time All-Star would only be in the Bay Area for one season. General Manager Bob Myers was open that Boogie’s one-year, $5.3 million deal - the most the CBA allowed the Warriors to pay the big man - was a one-time thing. Coach Steve Kerr acknowledged it as well.

It seemed fairly obvious. Cousins - who averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game a year ago - is worthy of a max contract when healthy, but tore his Achilles in January 2018. The Warriors offered Cousins the perfect opportunity to rebuild his value in a low-pressure environment, so that he could cash in in the summer of 2019.

Except maybe not. The New York Times’ Marc Stein reports that one insider believes Cousins will consider re-signing with the Warriors when the season ends:

Allow me to also pass on one of the wildest predictions I’ve heard lately, from one wise insider, who thinks even DeMarcus Cousins will consider re-upping with the Warriors for one more season despite the (comparatively) minuscule raise they can offer on Cousins’ current $5.3 million salary.

It’s undoubtedly a long shot, and it would seem like the rest of the season will play a large role in that decision. The Warriors are nearly to the halfway mark of the season, and Cousins still hasn’t suited up for a game.

If Boogie is slow out of the gates in the second half of this season, he likely won’t get the max contract that he likely feels he deserves. There’s a chance he’ll have to settle for less money in 2019-20 to finish proving his value, before taking the big paycheck in 2020. If that’s the case, the Warriors are perfect for a first year of rebuilding value, and they may be perfect for a second, as well.

As a reminder, the Warriors can’t offer Cousins much of a raise next year. So if he plays anything like his former self this season, re-signing with Golden State would mean taking a serious discount.