Golden State Warriors sign center DeMarcus Cousins

Apparently, the rich continue to get richer in the NBA.

The back-to-back NBA Champion Golden State Warriors have announced the signing of free agent center DeMarcus Cousins, giving the team a potent starting unit of All-Stars at every position.  Other outlets have reported that Cousins was signed at the bargain basement price of $5.3 million over one year, making his acquisition that much more of a coup.

Of course, there is a reason why the demand for his services was so low -- Cousins is recovering from a torn Achilles and will not likely be ready to play at the start of the season.  Once he is ready, there is no guarantee that he will be capable of playing at the elite level he previously displayed.

Still, the move is worth the risk for this talent-laden team that could afford to whiff on a cheap, short-term free agent deal.

When healthy, Cousins is arguably the best center in the game, as he is a physical presence who can score down low on the block or go outside and hit a three.  He could provide the Warriors with a new dimension they have not had -- a talented center capable of commanding a double team in the post.

Cousins, 27, averaged 25.2 points and career highs of 12.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists to go with 1.65 steals, 1.58 blocks and 36.2 minutes in 48 games (all starts) with New Orleans before suffering a left Achilles rupture on January 26 vs. Houston.

He became expendable in New Orleans once the Pelicans signed former Laker Julius Randle.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Cousins owns career averages of 21.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.43 steals and 1.22 blocks in 32.3 minutes over 535 games (513 starts) with the Pelicans (2017-18) and Sacramento Kings (2010-17). Originally selected by the Kings with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the 6’11” center spent his first six-plus seasons with the franchise. Cousins was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2010-11 and to the All-NBA Second Team in both 2014-15 and 2015-16.

A native of Mobile, Ala., Cousins has helped the USA Men’s Basketball Team to gold medals at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, and at the 2016 Olympic Games alongside Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Thompson.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services