20 things to look forward to this NBA offseason

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 10: Arizona forward Deandre Ayton (13) reacts to a call during the championship game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the USC Trojans and the Arizona Wildcats on March 10, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 19: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans speak during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

9. Does DeMarcus Cousins stay in New Orleans?

Halfway through the 2017-18 season, DeMarcus Cousins looked like a veritable lock to receive a five-year max contract from the New Orleans Pelicans this summer. After all, he’s the only player in the past decade to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and 1.5 blocks per game, which he did in his 48 outings this season.

But when the big man went down with a torn Achilles tendon toward the end of January, his upcoming foray into free agency became far more complex.

According to ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe, the Pelicans “have broached internally the idea of offering Cousins a two- or three-year deal at less than the max” in the wake of his Achilles tear. As Lowe noted, “the Pelicans have the dual leverage of winning without Cousins and a tepid market for him,” as few teams project to have enough cap space to sign him to anywhere close to a max deal.

Shortly after Cousins went down, the Pelicans traded for Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic, who proceeded to thrive as the starting 4 alongside Anthony Davis. However, New Orleans sorely missed Boogie during its second-round loss to the Golden State Warriors, which he and his agent figure to note during contract negotiations.

If the Pelicans aren’t willing to shell out big bucks for Cousins, he could turn his attention to the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers carved out too much cap space this summer not to come away with at least one big-name free agent, while the Mavericks have needed a center since Tyson Chandler’s heyday in the early 2010s.

Considering the complications of returning from an Achilles injury, Cousins may be one of the most difficult free agents to get a read on.

Next: 8. Will Clint Capela get maxed out?

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