Portland Trail Blazers: Why DeMarcus Cousins Should Be Top Priority
The Portland Trail Blazers ended their season on a sour note. While the Blazers headed into the playoffs with a chip on their shoulder and riding great momentum, the New Orleans Pelicans, minus DeMarcus Cousins exposed the Blazers for what they truly are– a team with no real inside presence. Ever since LaMarcus Aldridge left and joined the San Antonio Spurs, the Blazers have become a team driven by the success of their backcourt.
While Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have claimed a spot as one of the best tandems in the NBA, their frontcourt has continued to live in their shadows. With Al-Farouq Aminu, Maurice Harkless/Evan Turner, and Jusuf Nurkic, the Blazers should have enough to be contenders. But they don’t and never will until they admit they need help. This is why adding Cousins is so important.
[MarkAds]Will DeMarcus Cousins Fit With The Portland Trail Blazers?
While most teams will try to clear space for LeBron James, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard, the Blazers will need to find a player to possibly pair with Nurkic in the paint if need be. If the Pelicans do not offer Cousins a new contract, or one that reaches a max deal, Cousins will hit the market with a vengeance. But the issue here is that he’s coming of a season-ending injury and the price tag he may want may not be available.
The Portland Trail Blazers are in prime position to give DeMarcus Cousins just what he needs.
As great as Cousins was during his time paired with Anthony Davis, the team continued to struggle. It wasn’t until Cousins went down that Davis was able to take back control of the team and the Pelicans took off. Now, if the Blazers can rid themselves of Turner, Harkless, and Meyers Leonard that will free up a little over $38 million in cap space (depending who they get in trade). That’s just enough to sign Boogie. But then comes the big decision of what to do with Nurick?
Nurkic averaged 14.3 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the floor last season. In most eyes, he deserves a huge deal but will Portland be willing to pay more than $10 million a season for a player who has failed to hit shots outside of the paint and he’s an average defender at best. But still, if a choice was given, how many teams would pass up DeMarcus Cousins over Jusuf Nurick?
In 2017, Cousins averaged 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds while shooting 47 percent from the floor. Cousins is clearly one of the league’s best post players who has extended his range to the three-point line (six attempts per game). By pairing Cousins with Lillard and McCollum, that will give the Portland Trail Blazers a trio only the Golden State Warriors could possibly contend with. Another factor to consider for Portland is that Cousins is flexible enough to play both the PF and C positions. A move like this would allow Portland to make a move on a post player like Nerlens Noel who may be had for cheap this summer.
There is still the issue of Cousins’ injury and will he be the same player he was before. Most NBA player lose a step after an Achilles injury and if so, then the Portland Trail Blazers may be able to get Cousins on the cheap maybe in a one-year deal to prove his worth. No matter what happens with the Blazers and the Nurkic situation, one thing is for certain is that they must improve their post play if they wish to get out of the first round next season. Lillard and McCollum are the catalysts of this squad, but a third All-Star like DeMarcus Cousin could send them up the Western Conference Standings.
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Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
