As NBA contenders continue to fill their ranks via the buyout market, rumors of DeMarcus Cousins joining the Los Angeles Clippers have begun to heat up. The Clippers would be Cousins’ fourth Californian team. This signing would also reunite Cousins with fellow former Kentucky Wildcat Rajon Rondo for the fourth time in their careers.
NBA Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins to the Los Angeles Clippers
A Successful, but Stalled, Career
Cousins was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2010 and played six seasons there before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017. In an unfortunate turn of events, Cousins would rupture his Achilles tendon in January of 2018. Due to this injury, the free-agent market was not kind to Cousins. Without any long-term offers, he signed with the then-powerhouse Golden State Warriors on a one-year deal. Another leg injury slowed his playoff run, but Cousins was able to land with the Los Angeles Lakers the following offseason. Joining up with LeBron James and former teammates Anthony Davis and Rondo seemed like a perfect situation for Cousins after showing his value off the bench for the Warriors. Sadly, it was not to be as the four-time All-star would tear his ACL in a pickup game in August 2019.
Going Back to California
This offseason, the Houston Rockets took a chance on Cousins, signing him to a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum salary. The Rockets have had a tumultuous 2021 campaign, losing James Harden and at one point dropping twenty straight games. Last month Houston guaranteed Cousin’s salary before agreeing to cut him, giving him a chance to sign with a contender once again. For weeks, we’ve heard nothing about the big man’s potential landing spots. Now it seems that the Clippers are interested in adding Cousins to their ranks on a ten-day contract.
Boogie’s Wonderland?
A return to Los Angeles might be the best possible scenario for Cousins. Quality big men are at a premium in today’s NBA, but any championship contender will likely have to beat one. With Nikola Jokic in Denver and the combination of Davis and Andre Drummond in their hometown, the Clippers will need some strength in the paint. Serge Ibaka and Ivica Zubac have been solid contributors this year and Marcus Morris can play center in smaller lineups. However, the recent injury to Ibaka highlights the Clippers’ lack of depth at this position. Morris and the 6’8” Daniel Oturu won’t be much help against the likes of Jokic, Drummond, or Joel Embiid.
Final Thoughts regarding Cousins to the Los Angeles Clippers
Most reports state that this deal won’t be official until next week, pending clearance of NBA health and safety protocols. The risk for the Clippers is low, so all signs point to them moving forward. Cousins isn’t the star of the past, but he is a true center that isn’t easily pushed around. He can still contribute on the glass, averaging nearly eight rebounds a game. Cousins also provides rim protection, even if he isn’t the shot-blocker he once was. Offensively, Cousins is still a phenomenal passer with great court vision. He has shown an ability to knock down open jumpers and shoots well from the foul line. Although things didn’t work out for Cousins in Houston, he has another chance at redemption. If he is willing to accept a smaller role in Los Angeles, he can once again make an impact on a contender.
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