DeMarcus Cousins might've put a scare into New Orleans Pelicans fans earlier this week when he unfollowed the team on instagram, but it doesn't appear the All-Star center's social media activity has much, if any, significance.
The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears recently asked Cousins about his interesting in returning to New Orleans, to which he responded, "Oh yeah, for sure. ... Would I like to go back to New Orleans? I'm very open to that. I love what we created. I love what was created after I went down. I would love to be part of it. But I'm going to do what's best for me, and I feel they'll do the same."
In regards to his ideal free agent destination, Cousins tells Spears, "Somewhere I'd be appreciated and a contender. A team that's ready to contend."
Cousins will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and it remains to be seen if the Pelicans are willing to offer him a max contract. According to Basketball Reference, New Orleans has $96 million committed in 2018-19, which means they would have to go well over the cap to keep him in New Orleans.
Boogie missed the better part of the NBA season this year after suffering a torn achilles in late January, but the Pelicans still finished sixth in the Western Conference and swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs. Prior to the season-ending injury, Cousins was having one of his best statistical seasons - averaging 25.2 points per night and career highs in rebounds and assists with 12.9 and 5.4, respectively.