NBA Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins May Return To Dub City But With A Catch

DeMarcus Cousins was seen as the big acquisition by the Golden State Warriors in the offseason, giving them fewer reasons not to win their third consecutive title. He was the missing link of the Dubs in the middle, but NBA fans have not really actually seen that in action.

Cousins remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered last NBA season. The closest he has been to engaging in full-contact practice was with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League. There are speculations that he is nearing a return, but his absence has hardly mattered for the Warriors.

Cousins signed a one-year deal with the Warriors worth $5.3 million, but that investment has hardly reaped dividends. The Dubs are 25-13, good for second place in the Western Conference -- all done with the same cast the Warriors had last season (Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green).

Head coach Steve Kerr knows that they need a big body in the paint to complete the team. Several players like Jordan Bell, Jonas Jerebko and Kevon Looney have stepped up to the spot, NBC Sports reported. But it remains that if the Warriors are to achieve a three-peat, that big hole in the middle has to be plugged.

Cousins could finally make his appearance with the Warriors by the halfway point of the season. Should that happen, there are still questions likely to be raised. That includes Boogie's efficiency and the chemistry he will have with Curry, Durant, Green and Thompson on the floor. If Kerr manages them well, the Dubs will be one of the most feared forces ever to play in the NBA.

The performance of the team will also factor in determining who stays and who goes next season. Cousins could re-sign, but there are concerns about his pact. One is that he can only get a maximum paycheck of $6.4 million for the 2019-2020 season, a far cry from what he can get if he takes his act elsewhere, the New York Times said.

It may all boil down to a choice between money and an NBA title. Should the Dubs win it all again, Cousins could walk away and explore lucrative opportunities. But if he is fine earning that amount and being a champion as well, he could be back to man the pain for Dub City. This is with the assumption that Kerr and the rest agree to keep him moving forward.