3 Potential Landing Spots for DeMarcus Cousins: Just four years ago, DeMarcus Cousins was one of the most dominant big men in the game. The 2010 fifth-round pick out of Kentucky immediately made his impact in the league with the Sacramento Kings, nearly averaging a double-double in his rookie year.
In 2016-2017, DeMarcus Cousins was having one of his best seasons as a member of the Kings, before he was traded to New Orleans during the All-Star Break. The Pelicans were looking forward to a possible playoff run with an exciting nucleus consisting of Rajon Rondo, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, and Cousins. Unfortunately for NOLA, Cousins suffered a torn left achilles in late January and missed out on the rest of the season. The Pelicans ended up finishing 10th in the Western Conference.
The now 30-year-old has since bounced around from the Warriors, Lakers, and Rockets, and is currently a free agent following Houston releasing him on Tuesday. The four-time All-Star is only averaging 9.6 points per game in 25 games this season, but can still help a lot of teams looking for an extra piece for a playoff push. With that said, here are three clubs that should seriously consider making an offer to “Boogie”.
3 Potential Landing Spots for DeMarcus Cousins
Toronto Raptors
After losing veterans Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka in the offseason, the Raptors were left with a glaring hole at the center position. GM Masai Ujiri opted to sign Australian big Aron Baynes, and he’s been underwhelming to say the least. The 34-year-old is averaging only 5.7 points per game, and other than setting nice screens, hasn’t had much of a positive influence on the court.
Canadian Chris Boucher has had a bigger role and stepped up for Toronto, but he’s still a very raw product. The Raps were previously linked to Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond, but they’d probably have to give up a piece like Norman Powell in exchange, which isn’t worth it. Cousins could be a nice cheap alternative, with no current Toronto players going the other way.
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Golden State Warriors
Why not have a reunion for DeMarcus in the bay area? He was fitting in quite well with the 2018 Warriors before tearing his left quadriceps in the first round of the postseason. Cousins should be able to run it back no problem with Steph Curry and Draymond Green, which would take the pressure off of first-round pick James Wiseman.
Golden State is currently hanging on to the 8th seed in the Western Conference with five games remaining in the regular season. I like Kevon Looney as a player, but Golden State could still use more depth for the postseason, considering Marquese Chriss is out for the rest of the year with a broken right leg.
San Antonio Spurs
I know what you’re thinking: “Greg Popovich and DeMarcus Cousins together? That’s a recipe for disaster.”
For whatever reason, I think this could work. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge can be the vets in the starting lineup, with Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins coming off the bench. Sprinkle in the Spurs young up and comers such as Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Lonnie Walker. Jakob Poetl would still be my starting center if I was Pop, thanks to his rebounding and defensive ability.
The Spurs have surprised everyone in 2021. DeRozan and Aldridge won’t be around much longer in the Alamo City, so they might as well try to shock the world even more by adding Cousins. He may not be a guy who’s gonna land All-NBA votes, but he’s still one of the most skilled centers I’ve seen in terms of shooting, strength, and rebounding.
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