As the N.B.A. comes to grips with DeMarcus Cousins joining Anthony Davis to form one of the most imposing frontcourts in league history, the most striking thing may be how little it cost the New Orleans Pelicans to pull the move off.
But once that shock fades, it might sink in that in a Western Conference dominated by the small-ball Golden State Warriors, a team suddenly exists that best exploits Golden State’s weaknesses.