The Houston Rockets released seasoned center DeMarcus Cousins on Tuesday, bringing the player’s time with the team to a close after just 25 games.
The player, age 30, posted averages of 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while playing around 20.2 minutes per game for the Rockets this season.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer mentioned the previous week that the Los Angeles Lakers might be among the teams showing interest, assuming Cousins becomes available.
Cousins had agreed to a deal with the Lakers before the prior season; however, after incurring an ACL tear in an informal game, which sidelined him for the entire season, L.A. chose to discontinue their association with him.
The athlete, having earned four All-Star selections, stood out as one of basketball’s elite performers, specifically during the 2017-18 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. However, an Achilles tendon rupture prematurely ended that year after 48 games.
Subsequently, Cousins played in merely 30 regular-season matches the following year with the Golden State Warriors, a period marked by his recovery from the Achilles injury. During the playoffs of that season, he encountered a torn quadriceps, thereby restricting his participation to eight playoff contests.
Across a span of five seasons, from 2013-14 to 2017-18, playing for both the Sacramento Kings and Pelicans, Cousins secured four All-Star nods and cemented his reputation as a distinguished NBA center. His performance included averages of 25.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.
Since his Achilles injury, Cousins hasn’t been able to reach those previous levels of production, but he remains a flexible player capable of making contributions when given limited playing time.
The main issue for Cousins this season revolves around his effectiveness, marked by a field goal percentage of just 37.6 percent, which represents a career low by a significant margin.
Considering his age and difficulties on the offensive end, the Rockets’ decision to part ways with him is justifiable. Houston’s playoff prospects are bleak, holding an 11-18 record, and releasing Cousins creates additional opportunities for younger players such as Jae’Sean Tate and Justin Patton.
For the Lakers, the addition of frontcourt depth could prove useful, particularly given Anthony Davis’s current absence due to injuries affecting his Achilles and calf.
The Lakers have encountered difficulties in Davis’s absence, marked by a current three-game losing streak that has placed them at 22-10 for the season. This record ties them with the Los Angeles Clippers for the second spot in the Western Conference standings.
Cousins won’t provide a long-term solution, but he presents himself as a valuable short-term option until Davis can return. He could then transition into a role off the bench that aligns better with the team’s requirements.
