Draymond Green should start getting some votes for Executive of the Year in the NBA.
After famously calling Kevin Durant from the parking lot to recruit him to the Warriors after they blew a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals — Green led the charge again — this time to help secure one of the league's best big man DeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins who reportedly agreed to join the back-to-back NBA champions heard a strong pitch from Green, GM Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr. After receiving interest from the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks, Cousins decided to join Golden State on a one-year $5.3 million dollar deal according to Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania.
The Warriors were skeptical of the four-time all-star's interest initially according to Charania, but the conversation moved "fairly quickly" Monday night after a number of phone calls.
Cousins tore his Achilles in January but is expected to make a return to action in the first quarter of the regular season. He believes he can be ready before then.
"I'm still shooting for training camp. It's not BS," Cousins told ESPN's Marc Spears. "It wasn't a comment just to sound good in free agency."
Upon his return, Golden State will have an opportunity to roll out a starting lineup featuring Cousins, Green, Durant, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry.
It’s been a journey for @boogiecousins. We’ve been with him every step of the way. @Warriors #0Doubt #TheResurgence #ItsShowtime pic.twitter.com/YF5qeHJQTi
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) July 3, 2018
Cousins averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds in 48 games last season for the Pelicans.
All signings will not be official until the end of the NBA moratorium period on July 6.
