The DeMarcus Cousins era in Houston formally came to an end on Tuesday, as the Rockets announced they’ve officially waived the veteran center.
Explaining the decision to release Cousins, general manager Rafael Stone said the Rockets have been “talking to him about this for a little while” and decided the time was right to allow him to pursue a new opportunity (link via Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston). Stone added that Houston opted to guarantee Cousins’ full-season salary before parting ways with him because Houston appreciated his work ethic and felt “that was the best way we could think of to say thank you.”
For John Wall, who played college ball with Cousins at Kentucky, teaming up with the veteran center in the NBA was something he’d looked forward to for a while, and he expressed some disappointment that it didn’t work out as they might’ve hoped.
“Getting to play with him again was what we always wanted in the NBA,” Wall said, per Berman. “It didn’t last as long as we thought it would. The decision that was made is out of my hands. It’s up to the front office, whatever they feel is best for our team going forward.
“I think with his time here he did a hell of a job,” Wall continued. “I think he showed he could come back and play in this league, coming off of injuries. Hopefully he can get another job somewhere very soon…getting back to where he wants to be in this league.”
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