With DeMarcus Cousins set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, the New Orleans Pelicans knew they had to make a difficult decision ahead of next month's trade deadline.
The center hasn't given any guarantee to the franchise that he will re-sign and is expected to explore his options in the summer.
Therefore, the Pelicans were aware that they had to either look to trade him and attempt to get something in return or keep him until the end of the season and risk losing him for nothing.
It now appears they've made a choice and will be going with the latter option.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, sources have told him the team is determined to re-sign Cousins and has not invited offers for him ahead of February's trade deadline.
They will be taking a risk but with the team in contention for a playoff berth this season, they simply can't afford to lose a player of his calibre.
His partnership with star player Anthony Davis has been the main reason why they enjoy a winning record in the Western Conference at 20-19.
Keeping Boogie in New Orleans this year will also keep Davis happy as his long-term future in the Big Easy is also in doubt.
The franchise acquired Cousins - and Omri Casspi - from the Sacramento Kings last year in exchange for Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and Buddy Hield.
The two-time All-Star is one of the most dominant big men in the league and is stuffing the stat sheet again this season with some outstanding numbers.
He's posting 25.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game and has provided another scoring option to support Davis.
The 27-year-old's importance was evident in Monday night's 112-109 win over the Detroit Pistons as he carried the team after AD left the game with a sprained right ankle.
He scored 16 of his 20 points after his frontcourt partner went to the locker room and showed just why the Pelicans can't afford to offload him.
"It's like common sense, I believe. Somebody had to pick up the slack and I was playing (poorly) in the first half," Cousins said, per ESPN.
Cousins also added 10 rebounds and took over for his team down the stretch with a number of huge buckets.
Despite his temperament and disciplinary issues, his talent and production speak for itself and he'll be highly coveted as a free agent in the summer.
New Orleans has taken a gamble but it's definitely one worth taking as the former Kings star could help them end a three-year playoff drought.