Former Stephen Curry teammate makes surprising take on Mavs GM Nico Harrison in the Doncic’s trade

The Dallas Mavericks collapsed in the NBA playoffs after trading for Luka Doncic. After that, Nico Harrison faced heavy criticism. Many blamed him for the team losing its identity. However, injuries became the main explanation for the downfall. This sparked a heated debate across the league. The controversy grew louder when a former teammate of Stephen Curry from the 2018-19 season joined in. He made a bold comment that quickly went viral on social media.

DeMarcus Cousins recently appeared on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back. There, the former Warriors player analyzed the Dallas Mavericks’ defensive issues. He pointed out the team’s lack of consistency on that end. Then, he made a statement that surprised some fans. “As far as Luka [goes], was Nico wrong?…I mean on the defensive side of the ball.”

Even if Cousins did not say it outright, he implied that Nico Harrison made the right call if defense was his priority. It does not mean he supports Luka Doncic’s trade. However, he suggested the front office had a clear vision, but injuries have made things harder for the Mavericks. However, the arrivals of Anthony Davis and Max Christie could help balance the defense.

However, the Mavericks gave up their most important offensive piece. Luka Doncic is no longer on the roster. That leaves the team without a true superstar. Even in his worst season, excluding his rookie year, he averaged more than 27.7 points per game. Since his departure, no player has reached that mark.

DeMarcus Cousins #4 of the Denver Nuggets looks for a call from referees during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on April 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Therefore, the decision to sacrifice offense for defense is surprising. Few players in the league can dominate games with their scoring. Giving that up, even to improve on the other end, comes with a high cost.

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NBA veteran Draymond Green sends a message to Mavericks GM Nico Harrison

How DeMarcus Cousins performed with the Golden State Warriors alongside Stephen Curry?

DeMarcus Cousins joined the Golden State Warriors after a strong season with the New Orleans Pelicans. In 2017-18, he averaged 25.2 points per game and looked like a major addition. However, his time with Golden State did not go as planned. He played only 30 games with the team and averaged 16.3 points per game. That number was far from his usual production in previous seasons. His impact fell short of the high expectations around his arrival.

Even so, Cousins managed to develop a solid connection with Stephen Curry on the court. According to StatMuse, he averaged 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 21 games shared with Curry. The numbers were decent, but not enough for a long-term stay.

For that reason, Cousins played just one season with the Warriors. He has not returned to the NBA since the 2021-22 season. Now, he plays for the Selenge Bodons in the Mongolian basketball league.