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Chicago Bulls: Windy City perfect DeMarcus Cousins landing spot

By Andrew Miller

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 31: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors looks on prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 31, 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)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 31: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors looks on prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 31, 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) /
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Why should Golden State Warriors star center DeMarcus Cousins be one of the biggest trade market/free agent target for the Chicago Bulls this year?

The 2019 NBA Trade Deadline has arrived and the Chicago Bulls already jumped on the seller market the day before it commenced. On Feb. 6, the Bulls made the deal to send forwards Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis to the Washington Wizards for sharpshooting 6-foot-8 wing Otto Porter Jr. With that deal in the books, the Bulls can turn the focus to the next trade target, or free agency, which should include ultra-talented bigs like Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans and/or DeMarcus Cousins of the Golden State Warriors.

Moreover, the looming trade rumors involving Davis and the Pelicans is anything but reliable. Davis didn’t even suit up for the Pelicans yesterday as his squad defeat the hapless Bulls by the final score of 125-120 in a very weird matchup. New Orleans appears to be attempting to sideline AD until he is dealt on the trade block.

At this point, making a deal for Chicago native David might be more trouble than it’s worth. This is where getting DeMarcus Cousins this off-season could come into play. In all likelihood, Golden State won’t be able to retain Cousins this summer, especially if he gets a ring this year.

DeMarcus Cousins might be providing the Warriors more value for his contract than any other player in the NBA. He took a big pay cut to get out of New Orleans and try to get a ring with a super team in Golden State. Cousins is only getting slightly over $5 million on his one-year deal with the Warriors. Although he’s a much bigger contributor than David West was in his time in Golden State, Cousins took a similar deal to play in that front court and gain a ring.

Amid his recovery from a detrimental Achilles injury, DeMarcus Cousins needed about half of the 2018-19 regular season to get back in the starting five for the Warriors.

Throughout his productive NBA career, Cousins spent a long time posting premier numbers for losing teams. Most of his career was spent on the losing end with the Sacramento Kings and portions of two seasons with AD in New Orleans.

https://twitter.com/SFWarriorNation/status/1093565785887232000

With the Warriors this season, Cousins is off to a strong start in his first eight games played. His per 36 numbers are impressive as he’s registering a double-double with 23.9 points, 11.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks. Cousins is also posting one of the best player efficiency ratings on the Warriors in the last eight games, well above 20.

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1091898158748033029

All of these numbers Cousins is posting so far in 2018-19 indicate that he is well on his way to a good recovery and rhythm at 28-years-old. His nature of injury is the type that can derail NBA careers, and something that Wizards star point guard John Wall is going through right now.

If Cousins does decide to bolt for the free agency market this summer, the Bulls should be immediately pursuing him. Boogie hasn’t given any indication that he prefers to play in the Windy City. But, NBC Sports recently published a piece about why the Bulls should try and bring one of the NBA’s best and most athletic centers into the mix.

dark. Next. 3 reasons Otto Porter Jr. is a solid building block for the Bulls

This could be a perfect opportunity for the Bulls to bolster the front court with one of the NBA’s most capable offensive threats. Cousins might try and sign long-term at his next landing spot, which makes a lot of sense with Chicago.

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