The 2018 NBA season is over and free-agency hasn’t started yet, but it is never too early to start free agent speculation. The two most high-profile free agents are LeBron James and Kevin Durant, but those aren’t the free agents I am going to highlight today. Instead, we are going to take a look at a star player who may be looking to make a new home, a former star, and a couple role guys who could become vital pieces on contenders this summer.
Free Agent #1: DeMarcus Cousins
Boogie Cousins is in for an interesting off-season. He had an incredible season going in 2018, averaging 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists per game before Cousins season was ended by a torn Achilles. While that is a tough injury to bounce back from, numbers like his should have given the Pelicans reason to re-sign him. However, once Cousins was sidelined, the Pelicans were seemingly better without him and made a mid-season push to the playoffs. While they have said they’d like to bring him back, the Pelicans do not seem willing to give Cousins the max deal he is looking for. With the Pelicans not being title contenders and it probably being his last big payday, the soon to be 28-year old Cousins will probably be looking to take his talents elsewhere.
Who should sign Cousins: the Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks only emerged as candidates to sign Boogie recently but it would make a lot of sense for parties. They have plenty of money to give him the max he wants and he could immediately become the centerpiece player the Mavs desperately need. Adding Cousins won’t make the Mavs good (or probably even decent) but it is a start. He will take the pressure off second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr. and their upcoming #5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Cousins and the Mavericks seem like a perfect fit for each other.
