The NBA landscape has shaken, once again. DeMarcus Cousins is joining forces with Anthony Davis in New Orleans. How does this affect the Grizzlies?
The All-Star game was a pleasant time for the NBA and the Grizzlies. There was nothing but rapid fire scoring. The stars put on A+ performances, and even Marc Gasol got in on the action, nearly pulling out a triple-double (10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists).
All of the sudden, a Woj bomb hit, making Sunday’s festivities completely irrelevant:
Sacramento has agreed to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2017
Did anyone else get goosebumps imagining DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis on the same team? The Kings did the expected and didn’t capitalize on getting a solid return:
Deal with the Pels includes guard Buddy Hield, and a 2017 first-round pick to the Kings for Cousins, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2017
Sources: New Orleans is also sending the Kings a 2017 second-round pick (via Philadelphia) and Tyreke Evans in deal, league sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 20, 2017
Well, the Pelicans got away with robbing the Kings, but that’s like taking candy from a baby.
This trade is a game-changer in the Western Conference, but how does this affect the Grizzlies?
No Coasting
Right now, the Grizzlies hold a comfortable eight game lead over the eight seed team, the Denver Nuggets, and a 11.5 game advantage over the 11th place Pelicans.
However, they can’t afford to coast now.
The New Orleans Pelicans don’t have a difficult schedule to close the season. Out of their last 25 games, they have only 13 games against playoff teams, three being against the eighth seed Nuggets.
Quite honestly, a team with Cousins, Davis and Holiday could easily surge up to the eighth spot, but they could even catch the seventh seed.
The Grizzlies have to keep their eyes set on the fourth seed and can’t look back. If they finish flat, they could have a date with either the Spurs or the Warriors in the first round.
Yikes.
Important off-season
This trade makes the off-season more crucial for the Grizzlies.
Right now, New Orleans could be a hot destination for free agents, especially for point guards and shooters. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have something cooking in Denver. Portland has plenty of assets to flip to land a player to complement CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard.
If the Grizzlies don’t nail this offseason, their playoff hopes could be in jeopardy next season.
JaMychal Green, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen are all free agents this offseason. With three max contracts already in the books, the Grizzlies must be wise. Any mishap could damage their short-term and long-term future.
Must Read: All-Star Break Review: Tony Allen
Best-case scenario: Chandler Parsons puts his GM hat on once again and helps the Grizzlies land Steph Curry. That’s possible, right?
Conclusion
The Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins combination will be an absolute force. Heck, out of any possible eight-seed teams, they could give the Warriors a run for their money.
Once Dell Demps establishes a nice supporting cast around his two-headed monster, they could build a quiet contender.
Trades like this one are fun, but this puts the Grizzlies in a tougher position in building a championship team.