The Boston Celtics finally landed a big-name free agent this offseason in All-Star forward Al Horford. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re content with their current roster — just ask Isaiah Thomas.
The Celtics point guard was the team’s most avid recruiter this offseason, telling any NBA superstar who would listen to team up with him in Boston. Now, Thomas appears to be targeting a former teammate and close friend: Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins.
“If he came to Boston, that would be good, really good,” Thomas said in a recent interview with Sporting News. “The thing is, I’ve got his respect. I’ve always had that.”
Thomas spent three seasons with Cousins in Sacramento, so he knows about the All-Star big man’s reputation as a disruptive locker room presence. The Kings already are on their sixth coach in six years with Cousins, and none have been able to reel in the mercurial 26-year-old.
But Thomas believes that’d be a different story if Cousins came to Boston.
“When I was with him, I didn’t back down,” Thomas told Sporting News. “I’m a point guard and that was my job. No matter if we did or didn’t get along off the court, on that court we were going to get along, and I was going to hold him accountable. That’s just how it is. It’s how I’ve always been. And he respects me for doing that.”
Cousins is under contract until 2018, and the Celtics would have to give up a lot to acquire him in a trade. But if Sacramento finally decides to move on from Cousins, his former teammate makes a pretty compelling reason why he should consider joining Team Green.
Thumbnail photo via Jeremy Brevard/USA TODAY Sports Images
