The Houston Rockets release center DeMarcus Cousins Tuesday after a mutual decision was made between the team and the big one to separate, sources confirmed to ESPN.
The Cousins, whose $ 2.3 million veteran minimum wage was guaranteed by the Rockets last week as a token of gratitude, will explore the interest of other teams.
Cousins, 30, a four-time All-Star who was trying to resurrect his career after a series of serious injuries, averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting just 37.6% from the land in 25 games with the Rockets.
Sources said Cousins was not happy with his role as a safety center behind Christian Wood, who wanted to have more playing time. Rockets coach Stephen Silas did not consider playing Wood and Cousins together, as he wants to use Wood solely as a center.
The Rockets have lost their last eight games after Wood, Houston’s top scorer and rebounder, fell with a sprained right ankle. The Cousins, whose defensive limitations were a problem, averaged 12.1 points and 9.0 rebounds during the stretch before leaving out Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls due to a heel injury.
Cousins has bounced around the league in recent seasons after breaking his Achilles tendon during the 2017-18 season while he was with the New Orleans Pelicans. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors but broke his quadriceps muscle in the 2018-19 season. Cousins joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2019-20 campaign, but broke his ACL before moving on to the team.
He has averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds for his career since being recruited by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft.
Athletic first reported the imminent release of Cousins.