Report: Tyreke Evans turned down Warriors’ MLE that went to Cousins

Here is yet another star that aligned perfectly for the Golden State Warriors to land DeMarcus Cousins.

Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Evans, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Indiana Pacers, was Golden State’s original target for their midlevel exception of $5.3 million. Evans turned them down due to the lack of his desired money and role, so the exception went to Cousins instead.

In a cruel cosmic twist, Evans’ rejection made the Warriors’ infinitely better off. Instead of adding the former Rookie of the Year (another ball-handler, which they have enough of, as well as an erratic shooter), they wound up with an elite inside-outside big man to plug their gaping hole at center right up.

Granted, Cousins will still have to prove his health as he recovers from an Achilles tear. But this is just another one of the unbelievable factors that converged in Golden State’s favor for them to reel in a fifth All-Star.