HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 02: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Houston Rockets loses control of the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center on January 02, 2021 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, a mutual decision was made between the Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins to part ways, which means the team would release Cousins, sources revealed to ESPN. The news of Cousins’ impending release was first reported by The Athletic.
Cousins is a four-time All-Star who has been attempting to make a comeback after a series of injuries. The 30-year old has bounced around the league the past few seasons after rupturing his Achilles tendon during the 2017-18 season during his time with the Pelicans.
Then, he signed with the Warriors but tore his quadriceps muscle during the 2018-2019 season. Cousins joined the Lakers for the 2019-20 campaign but tore his ACL before ever suiting up for the team. This year, in 25 games with the Rockets, Cousins averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting only 37.65 % from the floor in 25 games with the Rockets.
Sources said Cousins was unhappy with his role on the Rockets as a backup center, behind Christian Wood. They also said he would like more playing time. Rockets coach Stephen Silas did not consider alternating Wood and Cousins at center, but instead he wanted to only use Wood at center.
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The Rockets have lost their past eight games. These games followed Wood going down with a sprained ankle. Over that stretch, Cousins averaged 12.1 points and 9.0 rebounds before he sat out of Monday’s game with a heel injury.
Cousins averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds for his career since being drafted by the Kings with the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft.
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