Four-time All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins played a total of 16 games with the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks after they signed him earlier in the season.
It now looks like the 31-year-old Cousins will be looking for a new home city moving forward on the campaign.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Milwaukee has opted to waive Cousins. The team wants to create flexibility ahead of Friday’s league-wide guarantee date. Earlier on Wednesday, Cousins scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on 5-of-8 shooting in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. That makes this move even more surprising.
- DeMarcus Cousins stats (2021-22): 8.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 46% shooting, 24% three-point
After suffering a torn Achilles as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2017-18 season, Cousins just has not been the same player. Remember, the former Kentucky standout averaged 21.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in eight seasons before the injury. Since, he’s averaging 11.4 and 6.9.
Even then, contending teams will likely show interest in the enigmatic big man.
Potential DeMarcus Cousins landing spots
- Golden State Warriors: Cousins played for the Warriors during their last NBA Finals run back in 2018-19. He averaged 16.3 points and 6.4 rebounds before suffering a torn ACL.
- Los Angeles Lakers: It’s apparent that the DeAndre Jordan situation is not working out in Los Angeles. With Anthony Davis currently sidelined, the team might very well be looking for a reinforcement. That could come in the form of Cousins.
- Brooklyn Nets: Prior to widespread COVID-19 issues, the Nets took fellow former All-Star Blake Griffin out of their rotation. Right now, there’s not a whole lot to look at with the Nets at center. Nic Claxton has been getting starting duties most recently.
- Dallas Mavericks: Maxi Kleber and Moses Brown just have not panned out for Dallas this season. Meanwhile, both Willie Cauley-Stein and Boban Marjanović are more bottom-of-the-rotation players. Why not take a chance on DeMarcus Cousins?
- Miami Heat: With Bam Adebayo currently sidelined to injury, the Heat are relying on Dewayne Dedmon to play more minutes. Objectively, Cousins would be an upgrade over him until Bam returns. When that happens, the veteran could take on a bench role.
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