DeMarcus Cousins Reportedly Recruiting Free Agents to Play for Pelicans

DeMarcus Cousins is reportedly trying to convince free agents to join the New Orleans Pelicans.

On Friday, Marc J. Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated reported the All-Star big man "has been quietly recruiting free agents" for New Orleans. Spears noted it could be a positive development for the team's chances at re-signing Cousins, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2018, per Spotrac.       

The Pelicans traded for Cousins during the 2016-17 campaign after he spent the first six full seasons of his career with the Sacramento Kings.

The three-time All-Star and two-time member of an All-NBA second team averaged 24.4 points and 12.4 rebounds a night in his 17 games with New Orleans and forms a potent one-two punch with Anthony Davis in the frontcourt.

Davis is not an unrestricted free agent until 2021, per Spotrac, and it is not hard to see why the Pelicans could be an attractive destination for free agents with the two big men in place if they keep Cousins long term as well.

That is especially the case for guards, who could rack up assist totals working in pick-and-rolls with the duo or find themselves taking a number of open shots as defenders collapse on the blocks.

Cousins is apparently doing his best to sell that vision.