Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 bold predictions

By Rucker Haringey

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court as Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz applies pressure during game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 25: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court as Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz applies pressure during game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on April 25, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 26: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans argues a call with referee Pat Fraher #26 during a NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2018 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 26: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans argues a call with referee Pat Fraher #26 during a NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2018 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

4. DeMarcus Cousins will sign a one-year deal

Cousins seemed destined to sign a max extension with the Pelicans before he tore his Achilles. Now, his status is one of the most intriguing questions in free agency. He will want a team to be on a full return to health, but it’s very unlikely anyone is going to take that leap.

What a team should be willing to do, is to offer Cousins a one year contract. That would give him an opportunity to rehabilitate his value before hitting the market next summer. As a reminder, quite a few teams are projected to have significant cap space in 2019.

The real question here is what sort of price tag Cousins will go for. It’s not out of the question he could receive a one year, $20+ million offer. A team that strikes out on their top free agent targets (cough..the Lakers…cough) could be left with money to burn. There are worse ways to spend it than on a potential superstar talent like Cousins.

The Pelicans are the one team that could throw a wrench in this idea. It’s conceivable they may be willing to make a multiyear gamble on Cousins. They’ve seen just how good he can be playing alongside Anthony Davis. They won’t be conned into a max deal though. If they can’t find a fair, long-term contract with Cousins, look for Boogie to head elsewhere on a one year deal this summer.

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