Free agent centre DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a one-year, $5.3 million NBA contract with the Golden State Warriors, according to multiple reports on Monday.
According to an ESPN report, Cousins narrowed his choices to the Warriors and Boston Celtics before picking the two-time defending champions.
His salary represents the taxpayer mid-level exception.
The news comes less than 48 hours after reports said Cousins planned to meet with New Orleans Pelicans, his old team, and the Los Angeles Lakers, for whom the big man had been considered a likely target after they missed out on Paul George.
Cousins, who turns 28 in August, is recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon sustained in January.
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Prior to the injury the Pelicans were expected to offer him a max-level, five-year contract but the severity of the issue was expected to depress his market significantly.
Now he will have the opportunity to repair his value on a one-year contract before hitting the market again next off-season.
Stephen Curry welcomed his new teammate shortly after the news broke.
"The 3rd splash Brother," Curry tweeted.
The latest acquisition for coach Steve Kerr means the Warriors could have a starting five consisting of Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Cousins - all of whom were NBA All-Stars in 2018.
Before his injury, Cousins was averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game through 48 games with the Pelicans, figures that have never been reached by one player in a single season in NBA history.
It was his first full season in New Orleans after the Pelicans acquired him in February of 2017.
Cousins, an eight-year veteran, has career averages of 21.5 points, 11.0 rebounds. 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
Former Warriors centre JaVale McGee left the team to sign with the Lakers for the veteran's minimum on Sunday, and Zaza Pachulia and David West remain free agents.
The Pelicans signed former Lakers big man Julius Randle to a two-year, $18 million deal earlier on Monday.
