DeMarcus Cousins to the Wizards, depends on Anthony Davis

There has been a chorus of Washington Wizards fans who would like to see DeMarcus Cousins reunited with John Wall. Whether or not that’s feasible is dependent on a lot of factors. It’s not just dependent upon what the Wizards would have to give up, but also the Pelicans.

There has been a chorus of Washington Wizards fans who would like to see DeMarcus Cousins reunited with John Wall. Whether or not that’s feasible is dependent upon a lot of factors. It’s not just what the Wizards would have to give up, but also the Pelicans.

Over the summer, I wrote about the NBA offseason, Kyrie Irving and Loyalty inside the NBA for HoopsHabit. The premise of the article was that these “pros aint loyal”. Referring to “pros”, it was in the context of some NBA front offices.

Loyalty is a two-way street

Loyalty inside the NBA starts at the top. Not with the player, but with management and ownership, that’s where loyalty begins.

LeBron James was vilified for leaving and returning to the Cavs, while Dwyane Wade was treated in the same vein when he left Miami. Regarding those two players, I wrote:

"“Thus, James returned to Cleveland because he had promises to keep, while Wade left Miami because promises weren’t kept.”"

However, in the case of Isaiah Thomas, that trade sent shock waves through the NBA. While some Boston fans burned his jersey. As if Thomas had a choice.

Of course the NBA is a business, but part of any good business is something called “goodwill”. That part was forgotten when Boston dealt away Thomas. Are they a better team for it? Maybe. But what does that tell players around the league?

With all the complaints that Wizards fans have against Washington’s front office, loyalty isn’t one of them. Owner Ted Leonsis understands that loyalty is a two-way street. He rewarded his players’ loyalty, by giving max contracts to three of his players—John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter, Jr. He didn’t listen to outside noise that said, some players aren’t worth it or you overpaid.

Leonsis understand the basic business tenent, that with every business transaction there should be goodwill. Whether it’s on paper or not (looking at you Pat Riley), a man’s word is his word.

Leonsis said, that he was going to max Porter, and that’s what he did. Now everyone who said, that they overpaid, looking at this performance this season, he wasn’t paid enough.

NBA players are real life individuals, not some cards that you trade away, without thinking about the impact on that player’s life.

A.D. before D.C.

After Tuesday’s game against the Pelicans, Chris Miller of NBC Sports Washington was asked, who he would trade to get DeMarcus Cousins? Miller was on the spot, but he answered what many Wizards fans are saying—he would keep Wall and Bradley Beal.

Before that can even be contemplated, it’s dependent upon what happens to Cousins’ teammate Anthony Davis at the trade deadline. After seeing what happened to Thomas and Cousins, Davis is trying to see where his future lies, before he’s hit with “I just traded you”. The words Danny Ainge used to Thomas.

Davis went straight to the top, about the Celtics rumors:

"Before the Cousins trade a year ago, though, Davis kept hearing talk of the Celtics trying to trade for him. He walked into GM Dell Demps’ office and asked about it.“He told me that [Boston] was calling, but nothing was going to happen,” Davis said. “At the same time, though, you see how organizations treat players. Isaiah Thomas. DeMarcus [Cousins] told me that the [Kings] told him that he wasn’t going to get traded, but they traded him. Isaiah took his team to the Eastern Conference finals, and they traded him."

Even after the Pelican’s reassurance, Davis is still not convinced:

"“It makes you wonder: Does this organization really have my back? I’ve been loyal to this organization. I love it here. I love this team. I think we’re moving in the right direction. DeMarcus, Rondo, some other players that are helping us, but people get judged on winning. And I want to win.“It’s not about the money. It’s not about having fans. The most important thing to me: winning. That’s what I want to do. And I want to do it here.”"

Davis wants to stay in New Orleans. While Cousins doesn’t want to be traded this season, because he believes in the Pelicans. However, if the Pels trade Davis, then Cousins may ask to be traded. Although he’s under contract this season, he may get “Kyrie” treatment, and leave New Orleans if Davis is traded away.

A lot of dominoes have to fall, before the Wizards can even contemplate Cousins. Davis made it clear he wants to stay in New Orleans (not that it matters). In addition, according to Marc Spears of The Undefeated, Davis has also been in Cousins’ ear to stay in New Orleans next summer, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

"Cousins also said Davis has been in his ear about re-signing with New Orleans.“A.D. hits me with little jabs about free agency all the time, but he also understands,” Cousins said. “It was Jrue in that situation last [offseason], and we understood his situation. Of course, they throw their little jabs. They throw their little jokes. But they are serious at the same time. They are respectful about it at the same time."

So maybe Davis does get traded at the trade deadline. Then there’s no reason for Cousins to stick around New Orleans. Especially, when he’s been dealt from the bottom of the deck before. Aforementioned, he could pull a “Kyrie”, and asked to be traded.

Or the Pels can go into rebuild mode, and trade both of them. If Davis is traded, Cousins won’t be a Pelicans next season.

It’s unclear where Cousin’s would end up if he’s traded. But, (you can burn my jerseys if you want), hopefully it’s not with the Wizards. This season or next offseason. I may be in the minority, but I believe Cousins is more trouble than he’s worth.

How much of the team’s heart and soul for Cousins?

The Wizards would have to give up too much. Are you willing to part with Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre, Jr.? Those two have put their sweat and tears into this organization. How can fans expect players to be loyal to them, when fans aren’t even loyal to the players?

Yes, the Wizards are missing one more piece to be a contender. But you don’t give up major pieces on your chessboard for a single knight, who you think will capture the crown.

If the Wizards organization wants Cousins, that’s fine. But it’s not like they could say, we want Cousins and just pick him up. A lot of things have to come into alignment.

Even if everything falls into place so the Wizards have a chance at Cousins, Porter stays in the picture.

Maybe if would be for the good of the team if they traded away Porter, to make cap space for Cousins. But ask yourselves, would it be good for Porter?

Here again is where goodwill kicks in. Winning is the goal, but winning at any cost shouldn’t be.

Above all else, players have to be loyal to themselves. Well, as much as they can be in this business.