DECEMBER 1: The Rockets have officially signed Cousins, the team announced today in a press release. Houston now has a full 20-man roster.
NOVEMBER 23: The Rockets and free agent center DeMarcus Cousins have agreed to a one-year, minimum-salary contract, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links) first reported that the two sides were nearing a deal and says it will be non-guaranteed.
Cousins, 30, has only played in 78 games over the last three seasons – and didn’t play at all in 2019/20 – due to a series of major leg injuries, including a torn Achilles and, most recently, a torn ACL.
He reportedly received contract offers prior to the NBA’s summer restart, but turned them down in order to focus on his rehab. He’s aiming to get back to 100% before returning to action, so it’s not clear yet whether he’ll be ready to go for the start of the season.
A fully-healthy Cousins would be a tantalizing weapon for the Rockets this season. The four-time All-Star has career averages of 21.2 PPG, 10.9 RPG, and 3.2 APG in 565 games, and while he’s certainly unlikely to match those numbers, he’d be a bargain for Houston if he’s able to recapture his old form at all.
Houston’s agreement with Cousins is the latest signal that the team will be pivoting away from its micro-ball approach for 2020/21. The team also agreed to a three-year, $41MM deal with big man Christian Wood.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Good luck, DMC!
Could be non-g or partial g contract
I like the sign…at this point I kinda really like what the Rockets are all doing Sans getting rid of Cov earlier which was a HUGE error imo
A Harden West Cov Tucker Wood starting 5 would have been pretty interesting –
Then you still would have had Gordon House Cousin(?)s off the bn – DHoward woulda been nice over there as well on the min on that team-
That team woulda been pretty good defensively and had some meat down low finally with a strong Bn
I totally agree with you. If they don’t trade Westbrook and harden they do a mistake to trade covington. He is very good 3&D so he could be very useful to create a good team that could point to the title
Cousins can help contribute to ball movement because he’s a pretty good passer for a big man. Rockets could still possibly get a defensively solid big man.
They had to trade Covington in order to get Wood in the S&T with Detroit. If they had kept RoCo they would already be over the hard cap from getting Wood, so they couldn’t get Wood and keep Covington.
I think his physical condition is very bad if lakers doesn’t sign him. I wish him a great regular season
I think his physical condition is very bad if lakers doesn’t sign him. I wish him a great regular season
Interesting. Even if you didn’t like Cousins before, you kinda have to like him now, dude has been through the ringer. The one thing about him is his game never really was about him getting off the ground. He could still be productive if healthy
I always liked DMC, hope this works out for him and he can stay healthy. If so he could bring some surprise punch to the Rockets.
Does he get a ring?
He’ll be playing for the Rockets, so, no.
That was wrong….funny, but wrong.
I hope he does!
He didn’t play but was signed by the LAL & the dude deserves it!
One of the best centers to ever play the game, MVP caliber & an even nicer guy!
DMC you are a legend dude!
Settle down, Don. If you actually go overboard there’s no telling what can happen…there are sharks in those waters!
He should get one from LA, and will probably get more with Houston.
What color is the sky in your world?
Red, black, gray, anthracite, and white. What about yours?
The yellow went poof. Just like certain connective tissues on DMC.
The Cavs may have collected all the colors by now, thanks wishywash GM and impulsive gov’nor.
Rockets are doing a great job of collecting my least favorite players. No wonder they dumped Covington and turn down offers for RW & JH. I assume they’re keeping Rivers unless he followed dad.
The Rockets are going for the heavy role the Clippers had last year. They broke under the weight of their heaviness, but are trying for that role again by signing both Morrises and dumping Shamet. It’s an opportunity to be something!
he should/will/did not get one from LA
Surprised lakers had no interest at that rate
I’ll be more surprised if Cousins gets to the regular season without any injuries. Nothing against the guy, but he gets knocked out before even stepping foot on the court.
I think he saw with lakers no real opportunity to build his value.. lakers are legit 10
Deep.. between Harrell, gasol and Morris, he probably wouldn’t of gotten minutes..
True, Cousins can have as many minutes as he can handle with the Rockets.
Cousins has been out for so long he missed the fact that the Rockets are about to become a lottery team.
He won’t even be starting, Christian Wood will be. Now the Rockets have two solid centers on their roster to go with all their small guys.
Lakers in 4
Surprised that you didn’t say Lakers in 3 :D
Hopefully he can stay healthy…
Wish him the best. Only 30 so got a chance to get another contract. With a solid season. It’s a good signing for minimum. He should be motivated.
Okay yeah let’s do it
I think it is official that the “small ball” era in Houston is but a memory. To be honest, I would love to see a return of the Shaq/Zo/Dikembe era of big men dominating the game. At least somewhat, just so people will stop saying things like centers that can’t shoot 3’s are a relic of the past.
Now the Westbrook – Wall makes more sense…