NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 potential destinations for DeMarcus Cousins

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Toronto Raptors in the second half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 23: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on March 23, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks routinely pursue splashy free-agent signings, but it rarely works out in their favor. Could Cousins be the one to change that?

In 2016, Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News noted the Mavericks “philosophically believe that adding a physically imposing center is a key — if not the key — step toward returning to the NBA’s elite.” Cousins, meanwhile, had nothing but good things to say about the franchise.

“It’s the Mavericks,” he said, per Townsend. “It’s one of the best franchises in the league. [Owner Mark] Cuban’s a great guy. [Head coach] Rick [Carlisle]’s a great guy.”

Even with cap holds for Kristaps Porzingis ($17.1 million), Dorian Finney-Smith ($1.9 million) and Maxi Kleber ($1.8 million) on their books, the Mavericks can carve out more than $29.3 million in cap space this summer. That’d be more than enough to sign Cousins and round out their roster with other middle-tier free agents to complement Porzingis and Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic.

If the Mavs can’t land a big-name free-agent center such as Al Horford or Nikola Vucevic, Cousins may be a reasonable compromise. He would gobble up paint touches and battle bruising bigs in the post, sparing Porzingis’ body from that wear and tear as he works his way back from the torn ACL he suffered in February 2018.

A one- or two-year deal (with a second-year player option) worth $10-12 million annually could give Cousins financial security while leaving the Mavericks with long-term flexibility. Since Courtney Lee will come off their books next summer and Tim Hardaway Jr.’s contract will be up in 2021, they’ll still have plenty of time to add a third star before Doncic becomes eligible for a contract extension.

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