The observation of the $$P_{cs}(4459)$$
P
cs
(
4459
)
by the LHCb collaboration adds a new member to the set of known hidden-charm pentaquarks, which includes the $$P_c(4312)$$
P
c
(
4312
)
, $$P_c(4440)$$
P
c
(
4440
)
and $$P_c(4457)$$
P
c
(
4457
)
. The $$P_{cs}(4459)$$
P
cs
(
4459
)
is expected to have the light-quark content of a $$\Lambda $$
Λ
baryon ($$I=0$$
I
=
0
, $$S=-1$$
S
=
-
1
), but its spin is unknown. Its closeness to the $${\bar{D}}^* \Xi _c$$
D
¯
∗
Ξ
c
threshold – $$4478\,{\mathrm{MeV}}$$
4478
MeV
in the isospin-symmetric limit – suggests the molecular hypothesis as a plausible explanation for the $$P_{cs}(4459)$$
P
cs
(
4459
)
. While in the absence of coupled-channel dynamics heavy-quark spin symmetry predicts the two spin-states of the $${\bar{D}}^* \Xi _c$$
D
¯
∗
Ξ
c
to be degenerate, power counting arguments indicate that the coupling with the nearby $${\bar{D}} \Xi _c'$$
D
¯
Ξ
c
′
and $${\bar{D}} \Xi _c^*$$
D
¯
Ξ
c
∗
channels might be a leading order effect. This generates a hyperfine splitting in which the $$J=\tfrac{3}{2}$$
J
=
3
2
$${\bar{D}}^* \Xi _c$$
D
¯
∗
Ξ
c
pentaquark will be lighter than the $$J=\tfrac{1}{2}$$
J
=
1
2
configuration, which we estimate to be of the order of $$5-15\,{\mathrm{MeV}}$$
5
-
15
MeV
. We also point out an accidental symmetry between the $$P_{cs}(4459)$$
P
cs
(
4459
)
and $$P_c(4440/4457)$$
P
c
(
4440
/
4457
)
potentials. Finally, we argue that the spectroscopy and the $$J/\psi \Lambda $$
J
/
ψ
Λ
decays of the $$P_{cs}(4459)$$
P
cs
(
4459
)
might suggest a marginal preference for $$J = \tfrac{3}{2}$$
J
=
3
2
over $$J = \tfrac{1}{2}$$
J
=
1
2
.