Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

New Orleans Pelicans: With DeMarcus Cousins out, plan remains the same

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 17: Head Coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 17: Head Coach Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans watches as his team plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 17, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

DeMarcus Cousins may be out for the remainder of the season, but the plan has not changed for the New Orleans Pelicans

With seconds left in their huge win against the Houston Rockets Friday night, the New Orleans Pelicans, who had moved within one game of the 5th seed and three games of the 3rd seed, were dealt with their biggest obstacle of the season.

DeMarcus Cousins limped off the court with a non-contact injury. Hours later it was revealed that he had torn his achilles and he would miss the remainder of the season.

The Pelicans will now have to close the final third of the season without their second best player.

Almost immediately after it was announced that Cousins would miss the remainder of the season, it was questioned as to whether or not the Pelicans would elect to blow it up. And it makes some sense, I suppose.

However, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski quickly silenced those concerns.

The Pelicans were rumored to be interested in adding wing talent in order to help their dominant frontcourt. And even with the injury to Cousins, it appears that the Pelicans will move forward with their original plans.

New Orleans hasn’t been in the playoffs since the 2014-15 NBA season and Davis specifically has only made one playoff appearance through his young career.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

It’s difficult to paint what the rest of the season will look like for the Pelicans. After all, since the start of the new year the Pelicans were playing tremendous basketball.

This season, Cousins was averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds per game. Overall as a team, the Pelicans were 9-3 during the month of Jan. It was all beginning to come together for the new-look Pelicans. But now, that all changes.

Perhaps the most difficult part of this injury isn’t even the repercussions that come this season. Sure, the Pelicans are going to miss Boogie Cousins this season. However, what happens moving forward is arguably more important.

Cousins is an unrestricted free agent after the season, and giving a player coming off an achilles injury max money won’t be easy. The achilles injury, in the past, has been a death certificate for some players. In recent history, both Kobe Bryant and Wes Matthews were never the same after sustaining said injuries.

It’s not to say that DeMarcus Cousins will never be the same player; it’s just to say that there’s no guarantee.

Must Read: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 teams that should trade for Joe Harris

The New Orleans Pelicans have some interesting and important decisions to make over the next few weeks and months. It’s really an unfortunate circumstance that the Pelicans and Cousins are facing. Right now, though, don’t expect New Orleans to throw in the towel just yet. And they shouldn’t.

Home/New Orleans Pelicans