A day after LeBron James rocked the NBA by joining the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors, NBA champions three of the past four years, made a stunning addition of their own. All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins agreed to a one-year deal worth $5.3 million with the Warriors. Golden State can now start five All-Stars if coach Steve Kerr so chooses.
Here’s what they’re saying about Cousins and the Warriors:
“In a move straight out of a poorly designed video game, the Warriors — when healthy — can add a fifth All-Star to their starting lineup for less money than the New York Knicks just agreed to pay Mario Hezonia.”
“What’s better than having four all-stars in your starting lineup? How about five? Such is the state of the Golden State Warriors after center DeMarcus Cousins agreed Monday evening to sign a one-year deal worth $5.3 million.”
>>Tim Bontemps, Washington Post
“[DeMarcus] Cousins, contingent on his health, offers a dominant, low-post presence that the Warriors haven’t had — though rarely needed. If Cousins returns to form, the Warriors may have to adjust to Cousins’ game, but they’ll become even more dominant and versatile than they’ve been the past four seasons.”
“If [DeMarcus] Cousins can return to full health, I don’t know how anyone will compete with the Warriors. The health caveat is nothing to scoff at. But right now, Golden State is looking more loaded than previously thought possible.”
“Just so everyone can see it on paper, the Warriors' starting lineup for next season now looks like this:
Stephen Curry
Klay Thompson
Kevin Durant
Draymond Green
DeMarcus Cousins
No, that's not the projected Western Conference All-Star roster (though it could be), that's just one team.”
>>Alec Brzezinski, Sporting News
“The Warriors are coming off yet another championship, and hardly need the services of one of the more coveted players still available on the open market, but with the West increasing in strength around them, they’ve made a move that will surely make a lot of non-Warriors fans angry.”
“Ultimately this is a clear win-win for both the Warriors and Cousins. Golden State gets to brandish a new weapon, while Cousins might just score a free ticket to a championship as he rounds himself into form.”