Pelicans reportedly determined to re-sign DeMarcus Cousins

The New Orleans Pelicans would like to make sure that DeMarcus Cousins’ time with them is measured in terms of years and not in terms of months.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on Monday that the Pelicans are “determined” to re-sign the three-time All-Star big man when he becomes a free agent this summer and are not inviting any trade offers for him.

Cousins, 27, is enjoying perhaps his best professional season yet with averages of 25.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. However, New Orleans is just 19-19 on the year and 30-33 overall since he first arrived in February.

Still, the Pelicans are very much in contention for a playoff spot this season (currently eighth in the West), and the upside of a Cousins-Anthony Davis-Jrue Holiday core seems high enough to justify a long-term commitment. That’s bad news for this marquee franchise in pursuit of Cousins though.