The Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly decided against considering free-agent center DeMarcus Cousins after his release from the Houston Rockets in late February.
Jason Quick from The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Blazers general manager Neil Olshey is looking for a player who will “definitely be a part of the rotation for the rest of the season.” However, the team also aims to keep any new salary acquired through trades or signings below $1.8 million to stay under the NBA’s luxury tax threshold.
Cousins averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 25 games (11 starts) for the Rockets after joining the team in December. He encountered difficulties with offensive effectiveness in the most limited role of his professional career, only converting 37.6 percent of his field goal attempts.
The 30-year-old former University of Kentucky athlete was considered one of the NBA’s premier centers during his prime, a period that included earning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
His most recent statistically dominant season occurred in 2017-18 with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he recorded averages of 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, and 1.6 blocks in 48 contests.
He subsequently sustained a torn Achilles tendon while playing for the Pelicans in January 2018, followed by a torn ACL during his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers in August 2019.
“Truly, I feel fantastic,” Cousins communicated to reporters in December. “Undeniably, it was a demanding endeavor both mentally and physically, but at the same time, I was able to grant my body a much-needed period of recuperation. My comeback from that has been remarkable. My physical condition is optimal, my mental state is superb, and I am simply eager to step back onto the court and participate in the sport I cherish.”
He might have proven to be a useful temporary acquisition for the Blazers, but his position in the lineup would become less assured once Jusuf Nurkic recovers from a wrist injury.
As a result, Olshey’s objective to secure a player for the team’s open roster spot who can consistently contribute through the latter half of the regular season and into a potential playoff run removes Cousins from consideration.
Portland will likely prioritize finding a wing player with strong perimeter shooting abilities instead, as reported by Quick.
The Blazers have the option to pursue a trade before the March 25 deadline, and if that doesn’t materialize, the market for bought-out players is expected to become more active in the weeks that follow.
Portland is scheduled to return from the All-Star break on Thursday when they host the Phoenix Suns.
