DeMarcus Cousins might affect where Mo Bamba gets drafted
By Josh Hill
Mo Bamba might be the hottest name in the NBA Draft, but Boogie Cousins might control part of his future.
Things happen fast on NBA Draft Day Last year, as the day began, there was no indication that the Minnesota Timberwolves were close to trading for Jimmy Butler. By the end of the night, Tom Thibodeau had reunited with his ex-Bulls superstar.
Similarly, in the eleventh hour, prospects see their stock rise and fall in dramatic fashion. Variables we weren’t really thinking about rear their heads and become factors in where certain players are picked and what certain teams do.
This year, it appears the shadow of DeMarcus Cousins free agency could affect the stock of the draft’s most talked about player in recent days.
According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, the Dallas Mavericks are confident about their chances to sign DeMarcus Cousins in free agency. That could end up affecting what happens with Texas big man, and everyone’s last-minute favorite prospect, Mo Bamba.
Bamba has quickly become one of the hottest names in the draft, and it seems that everyone from the Kings to the Knicks want him. Teams like the Bulls are talking about trading up to get into a position to draft him; Boston is reportedly trying to move up from the 20s — Bamba hype is off the charts.
Dallas picks fifth on Thursday night, and there’s a decent chance they’ll get the first real crack at drafting Bama. But should it pass on him, that might be interpreted as an indication the front office believes Cousins will be signed.
It’s a risk since it wouldn’t be the first time Dallas thought they were in line to sign a free agent big man only to lose out. Lest we forget the DeAndre Jordan hostage/emoji crisis of 2015.
Should Dallas pass on Bama, which some mocks have them doing regardless of Cousins rumors, Wendall Carter Jr. is another option. That too might be affected by the mirage of possibly signing Cousins once free agency starts next month.