DeMarcus Cousins‘ stay in Houston will be a short one.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the 30-year-old veteran center and the Rockets will be parting ways after just a half-season.
The Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins are planning to part ways in coming days, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Houston wants to go smaller, younger in frontcourt when Christian Wood returns and this allows Cousins to find an opportunity elsewhere.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2021
The news comes after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday that the Rockets had guaranteed Cousin’s $2.3 million contract for the rest of the season.
Boogie is averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists this season, but Houston is looking to get more experience for the team’s younger talent.
Rockets’ coach Stephen Silas hasn’t confirmed the Rockets are parting with Cousins, but teams are certainly already inquiring on the big man’s availability.
Cousins, who spent last season cheering on his Laker teammates from the bench with a torn ACL, could return to Los Angeles.
Anthony Davis is out with an injury until after the All-Star break, but Cousins could provide some needed support in the middle in the meantime.
Davis originally recruited Cousins to LA from New Orleans, where the two played well together.
Cousins would add some offensive power, but a Davis-Marc Gasol defensive combo on the floor would make the team exceptionally slow.
Plus, Montrezl Harrell has become an efficient one-on-one scorer for the Lakers, and it’s doubtful Cousins would exceed Harrell’s numbers.
Wherever Cousins does end up, he will provide 20-25 quality minutes in the middle.