DeMarcus Cousins shocked NBA fans around the world when he announced earlier this week that he would be signing with the Golden State Warriors this offseason.

The center later revealed that one of the main reasons why he signed a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Warriors was because he hadn't received a long-term deal offer from any team.

Many thought the four-time All-Star was to be a max-contract level player prior to his Achilles injury suffered last season, but he was never given such a deal prior to agreeing with Golden State.

That's not to say he wasn't offered to other teams though on a similar deal to the one he's just signed with the Warriors as well, at least according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

Passing Lakers

Stein stated that the Los Angeles Lakers were offered a similar deal to the one-year, $5.3 million deal Cousins signed with the Warriors. However, they turned it down.

He said: "Word also reached us Monday night that LeBron’s Lakers, after signing Rajon Rondo away from New Orleans and then losing Randle to the Pelicans, had an opportunity to sign Cousins at a one-year price point similar to the one that landed him in Golden State.

"But I’m told the Lakers passed, clearing the way for the Warriors to infuriate the basketball public yet again."

The Lakers had $5.6 million in cap space after they signed Rajon Rondo from the New Orleans Pelicans, which is enough to sign Cousins if we're going by the deal he has with Golden State.

It's odd that Los Angeles turned down a chance to put a bonafide All-Star to play alongside LeBron James at a discount. Having him would have improved their chances of getting back into the playoffs and compete for an NBA title.

Instead, the center has now signed with the Warriors, the Lakers' rival in the Western Conference, meaning it will now be even tougher for LeBron and the Lakers to make an NBA Finals appearance next season.

If Cousins returns to the form he had with the Pelicans before his injury last season when he returns to the court for Golden State next season, the Lakers could be kicking themselves for missing a really good opportunity to sign an All-Star on the cheap.

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