You remember where you were during the 2017 All-Star game? I do. It was in New Orleans, ironically enough. While the league’s elite were busy trading dunks, the Sacramento Kings were busy trading their franchise centerpiece. News broke that DeMarcus Cousins was heading to the New Orleans Pelicans. It felt like a glitch in the Matrix.
Pairing "Boogie" with Anthony Davis? That wasn't supposed to happen in the modern, small-ball NBA. We were told the age of the dominant big man was over. Then, suddenly, the Pelicans had two of the most skilled 7-footers to ever lace them up. It was ambitious. It was risky. Honestly, it was beautiful while it lasted.
The Fire and Ice Experiment
The trade was a massive gamble for Pelicans GM Dell Demps. He shipped out Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and a first-round pick to get Cousins. At the time, people thought Sacramento got fleeced. Maybe they did. But New Orleans wasn't just looking for stats; they were looking for a philosophy.
They called them "Fire and Ice." Davis was the fluid, graceful "Ice," gliding to the rim and swatting shots. Cousins was the "Fire"—emotional, bruising, and capable of bullying an entire frontcourt by himself.
Most teams struggled to guard one elite big. Guarding two? It was a nightmare. I remember watching games where teams literally didn't know who to double-team. If you collapsed on Boogie in the post, he’d whip a pass to AD for a lob. If you stayed home on Davis, Cousins would just bury a three. They were basically breaking the "rules" of the 2017 NBA.
By the Numbers: Peak Boogie in the Big Easy
Cousins didn't just fit in; he dominated. During the 2017-18 season, he was putting up video game numbers. We’re talking about a guy averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
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He was a point-center before that was really a "thing" outside of Denver. He’d grab a board, push the break, and find a shooter. It was chaotic in the best way possible. The Pelicans went on a tear in January 2018, winning seven of eight games. They looked like the only team in the West that could actually make the Golden State Warriors sweat.
The Night the Music Stopped
January 26, 2018. The Pelicans were playing the Houston Rockets. It was a statement game. Cousins had a monster triple-double: 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. Then, with seconds left, he chased down a missed free throw.
He didn't even fall that hard. He just sort of... limped.
If you’ve watched enough basketball, you know that limp. It’s the "I just got kicked in the back of the leg" feeling that usually means a ruptured Achilles. The diagnosis confirmed the worst. Season over. Career changed forever.
It's one of the biggest "what ifs" in basketball history. Anthony Davis later said he truly believed that team was winning a championship that year. Whether you believe that or not, you have to admit: they were the most interesting team in the league for those few months.
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The Fallout and the Unceremonious Exit
The end of the DeMarcus Cousins New Orleans Pelicans era was messy. After the injury, there was a lot of talk about his next contract. He was an unrestricted free agent.
Reports suggested the Pelicans offered a two-year, $40 million deal, which was a huge pay cut from the max he expected. Cousins apparently took offense. He ended up signing a one-year, $5.3 million "mid-level" deal with the Warriors.
Fans in New Orleans were hurt. Cousins felt disrespected. It was a divorce where both sides felt like they were the victim. Looking back, the Pelicans’ hesitation made sense from a business perspective—Achilles injuries are death sentences for big men—but it killed the vibe of the most promising era in NOLA basketball.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Duo
A lot of critics say you can't play two bigs together in the playoffs. They say the Warriors or Rockets would have just "spaced them off the floor."
I think that's lazy analysis.
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Cousins and Davis weren't just "tall guys." They were both elite perimeter threats for their size. In their final 15 games together, the Pelicans’ offensive rating was through the roof. They weren't just clogging the paint; they were operating a high-low system that required high-level IQ and passing.
- The Passing: People forget Boogie averaged over 5 assists. He was the primary playmaker half the time.
- The Defense: While Boogie wasn't a gazelle, Davis was mobile enough to cover for him on the perimeter.
- The Gravity: Having both on the floor meant Jrue Holiday had the easiest driving lanes of his life.
Why It Still Matters Today
The short-lived success of the DeMarcus Cousins New Orleans Pelicans era actually paved the way for how we see bigs now. It proved that versatility matters more than "position."
If you want to understand the impact, look at how the Pelicans have tried to build ever since. They’ve been chasing that high-level talent pairing—from AD and Boogie to Zion and BI. They learned that in a small market, you have to take the "swing for the fences" trade, even if it ends in a heartbreak.
What to do next if you're a Pelicans fan or a Boogie enthusiast:
Check out the game logs from that January 2018 run. Specifically, watch the double-overtime win against the Bulls where Cousins had 44 points, 24 rebounds, and 10 assists. It’s arguably the most dominant individual performance in the history of the franchise. It serves as a permanent reminder of the ceiling this team had before the injury changed the course of NBA history.