Pelicans' Davis hopes to reconnect with Cousins down the line

Someday, New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis would like to once again join forces with DeMarcus Cousins, his former teammate who departed the Pelicans for a one-year contract with the reigning champion Golden State Warriors this summer.

"He will be a free agent next year," Davis told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears Wednesday night. "Hopefully, down the line we can reconnect."

Of course, Davis didn't spell out exactly where he hoped to team up with his former All-Star frontcourt mate. The Warriors were able to sign Cousins for the relative pittance of $5.3 million, owing to his ongoing recovery from a devastating Achilles injury suffered last season. Given their star-laden cap sheet, the Warriors have little hope of retaining Cousins past the 2018-19 season, freeing the 28-year-old to sign a longer-term contract elsewhere - possibly even in New Orleans.

As for Davis, the five-time All-Star also addressed the persistent murmurs surrounding his potential trade away from the Pelicans prior to his ability to decline a player option and enter free agency in summer 2020.

"I got two years to '20-'21. I'm here and whatever happens after that happens," Davis said. "For me, right now it is about being the most dominant player in the league and helping this team win.

"You hear all the rumors. You hear all the talk. But it's not coming from me. I'm here to be a Pelican, help this team move forward and help this team win a championship."

So, by Davis' insistence, if Cousins also wishes to bring their formidable duo together prior to the expiration of Davis' current contract, he'll have to do so in the Big Easy.