Three reasons the DeMarcus Cousins-Anthony Davis pairing will work in New Orleans
By John Buhler
2. The Pelicans become a better mid-tier free agency destination overnight
Until Sunday night, the Pelicans were an also-ran NBA franchise. They were the least valuable organization in the NBA. While they had a star player in Davis, New Orleans didn’t have a playoff win to show since drafting their franchise cornerstone.
Though Cousins may not decide to re-sign with the Pelicans when he hits unrestricted free agency in summer 2018, what this deal does from a perception point is it makes the Pelicans a more serious contender in NBA free agency.
Getting to play alongside Cousins and Davis could make it very appealing for mid-level backcourt players to join the Pelicans in the offseason. New Orleans already has a player of that caliber in Jrue Holiday. The Pelicans have successfully repositioned themselves as a preferred landing spot for many mid-priced free agents.
A lack of dynamism outside of Davis has been a major undoing in New Orleans these last few years. Though the Pelicans haven’t shown a proclivity to draft well, which is problematic, they could get better in the offseason through free agency. This trade will make plenty of solid rotational players perk up at the thought of signing in New Orleans to play with Cousins and Davis.