LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 21: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
DeMarcus Cousins will make his return to the NBA with the Houston Rockets.
While they have been navigating trade rumors for weeks, the Houston Rockets are still contenders in the Western Conference given the presence of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. However, Stephen Silas and Rafael Stone still think this team needs more help on the interior, even after stealing Christian Wood from the Detroit Pistons. Houston has decided to ride the DeMarcus Cousins roller coaster, as they are agreeing to a contract with the insanely talented but often injured big man.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN is reporting that Cousins will sign a one-year deal with Houston, giving Harden and Westbrook a physical presence inside.
DeMarcus Cousins was arguably the best big in the league before his injuries
While he was never able to back up his play with the Sacramento Kings in the postseason, Cousins’ 21.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game in 6.5 seasons in northern California were evidence that the 6-foot-10, 270-pounder was one of the game’s best bigs. While his trade to the New Orleans Pelicans could’ve made him and Anthony Davis form a truly nasty combination in the frontcourt, an Achilles injury ended that partnership early.
Cousins has tried his luck with the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, but injuries have limited him to just 78 games since the start of the 2017-18 season. We’ll find out this year if he can still run the floor and move in the post as he did before his injury.
If the volatile Cousins is even half the player he was in Sacramento or New Orleans, Houston will have added a potential game-changer that could turn the tide in the West. Even if he fails to reach that level again, a Houston team that lacked any sort of girth and nastiness in the paint will add a tough post presence and solid shooter in Boogie.