The Houston Rockets are about to sever ties with center DeMarcus Cousins this Tuesday after a mutual decision was made to separate the team from the player, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Cousins, the $ 2.3 million veterans minimum wage was guaranteed by the Rockets last week as a token of gratitude, will explore the interest of other teams.
The four-time 30-year-old All-Star, who is trying to resurrect his career after a series of serious injuries, averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds with a court effectiveness of just 37.6% in 25 games with the Rockets.
Sources said Cousins was unhappy with his role as Christian Wood’s substitute center and wanted more playing time. Rockets coach Stephen Silas did not consider playing with Wood and Cousins together, as he wants to use Wood solely as a center.
The Rockets have lost their last eight games after Wood, the team’s top scorer and rebounder, suffered a sprained right ankle. Cousins, defensive limitations were a problem, averaging 12.1 points and 9.0 rebounds during Wood’s absence before being left out of Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls due to a heel injury.
Cousins has gone through 3 different teams in recent seasons after breaking his Achilles tendon during 2017-18 while he was with the New Orleans Pelicans. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors, but broke his quadriceps in the 2018-19 season. Cousins then joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2019-20 campaign, but broke his previous cruciate ligament before being able to debut with the team.
The center has averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds in his career since being selected by the Sacramento Kings with No. 1 pick. 5 in the 2010 draft.
The Athletic portal was the first to report on the imminent release of Cousins.