Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins is excited to be reunited with John Wall this season, a decade after the longtime friends were college teammates at Kentucky, as relayed by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
“Man, that’s incredible,” Cousins said. “That’s something we planned and dreamed about for a long time. I’m pretty sure he’s just as grateful for this moment as I am. I’m super excited. There’s obviously a chemistry between me and him from our college days. Not only were we teammates in college, we’ve known each other since we were 14 years old. He was actually one of the groomsmen in my wedding. That’s my brother for life.
“I believe his game speaks for itself. He’s an incredible talent. That’s a given. The combination of him and James (Harden), that’s tough for any team to match up with.”
Houston acquired Wall, along with a 2023 protected first-round pick, in exchange for Russell Westbrook in a trade with the Wizards last week. The team has reloaded with hopes of contending this season, surrounding Harden with Wall, Cousins, Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and others.
Here are some other notes from the Southwest Division tonight:
- Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan is prepared to buy into the team’s current situation, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News writes. DeRozan, 31, is set to enter his third season with San Antonio, a team that has a mixture of young players and veterans, after picking up a $27.7MM player option to return to the club last month. “That was one of my main reasons for coming back,” DeRozan said, “The faith and the confidence I had in those young guys and wanting to be a part of what we started in the bubble.”
- Mavericks forward James Johnson has yet to practice due to a strained MCL, coach Rick Carlisle said, as relayed by Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Johnson is on track to be involved in some activity by Tuesday or Wednesday, Caplan adds.
- Rockets guard Ben McLemore hopes to improve on his best NBA season to date with the team, returning with hopes of establishing himself as a better player in his second campaign, Jonathan Feigen writes in a separate article for the Houston Chronicle. McLemore, 27, averaged 10.1 points in 22.8 minutes per game last season, shooting 44% from the floor and 40% from behind the arc.
Rockets
All 3 new acquired Achilles injury players love each other
Cousins
Wall
Nwaba
And they all suffered the exact same injury that Durant and Thompson suffered, but since they play for the Rockets no one thinks they will make a full recovery while KD and Klay will have no problem whatsoever.
Harden for Klay Thompson, Wiseman and Wolves first round pick
Who says no?
What
Warriors would never do that. Lol
Rockets would never give away Harden for that little.
I read that Harden has limited trade market
Only 3 rumors
Nets for Din and LaVert and Allen
76ers for Simmons and salary
Warriors
Exactly! Why would anyone want Hardin on their team? He’s a cancer that others hate playing with because he’s not competitive and doesn’t defend.
There are only 3 players the Rockets will accept for Harden. Those are Giannis, Anthony Davis, and Doncic.
Both of these extreme views are wrong. Those 3 players are not getting traded for Harden, just forget that altogether because it will NEVER happen. But Harden is a very valuable trade asset. He is not getting traded for garbage either. If he was to be traded, it would be for a large package of both young players and draft picks with possibly a veteran salary added in as well.
The Nets trio + 3 future firsts would probably get Houston’s interest. And another team I could see making noise with a deal would be Atlanta. They have a lot of young players with potential that play similar positions. A three pack of Okongwu, Hunter, Reddish, or Huerter along with 2-3 future firsts would turn Atlanta into an instant title threat. A starting 5 of Young, Harden, Gallinari, Collins, and Capela with Bogdanovic leading a second unit is a formidable team.
You’re just trying to create an all Achilles team.
Harden isn’t worth it, even if Klay had no legs.
Warriors starters
Curry
Harden
Wiggins
Draymond
Looney
6th man Kelly Oubre
Can beat anybody
I’d still take Klay over Harden anyday..Injuries and all
Warriors would only trade for Hardin if Wiggins and other players that don’t fit could be part of the deal.
Since the Warriors would never conceive of a trade that asinine, it has to be the Warriors saying no. The Warriors wouldn’t be getting anything serviceable. Why would the Warriors want to get rid of their future?
No….. Houston getting too little and Golden State wouldn’t trade Thompson and if they traded Wiseman they would need to get a center for him….. If the Warriors put both into a trade they would have to include like 3 first…. so I don’t think either team wants to do that
I wouldn’t trade Wiseman even up for Harden. First of all, Wiseman will be a great player for 15 years. Secondly, the Warriors aren’t gonna take on Harden’s contract. And I’d never give up any picks either. If Brooklyn is smart, they’ll say no on that too.
I guarantee you that Harden’s NBA career will outshine Wiseman like the Sun outshines Pluto.
Harden in Warriors uniform while Steve Kerr is coach would be a huge mistake. The idea that Harden would improve the Warriors is laughable. His antics this week prove that has little trade value.
Bill Simmons, is that you?
This is the first time I’ve heard anything positive from DeRozan about the Spurs.
I believe he bought into the $31 million, that’s about it
Has anyone, like ever, said anything positive about San Antonio?
Just wondering dude!
Not long ago
I read that Cousins lost $250 million due to injury
Normal people would have to work 500 years to reach that amount
probably closer to 5000 years.
It might not take that long. You will probably get a raise after the first couple of centuries and that might knock off a few years.
love to be a normal person in your world.
James Harden, PJ Tucker and Daniel House for Paul George, Marcus Morris, Luke Kennard and Kabengele.
Rockets with Wall Gordon PG Morris Cousins that’s a strong starting line up and then a bench with Kennard House Wood and others.
Clippers on the other hand would be awesome with Beverly Harden Kawhi Tucker and Ibaka. That’s the best starting 5 in the league then you have Lou Will one of the best bench players plus Zubac Patterson Jackson and so on.
The battle of LA with Harden and Kawhi vs Bron and AD would be crazy
Sorry Kennard Nwaba Wood*
And House on the bench with Jackson Lou Will Patterson and Zubac in LA
Your trades are usually pretty terrible but you really outdid yourself with this one. Clippers would have to fork over 3 unprotected future first rounders plus the hall you mentioned at that point it wouldn’t be worth it for clippers as they wouldn’t have picks for the next 10 years.
Which hall is involved? Carnegie or Royal Albert?
Man I don’t even care about those teams…. but, WHAT?! Lol
lol Clippers get robbed..PG13-Harden a wash since harden plays no defense…Morris>Tucker..Kennard offers more than D leaguer House
Houston may be headed to the lottery already but with this trade they would be taking out a mortgage there
Mia Khalifa is pretty broken up about John Wall going to Houston.
Now she can be a Rockets fan instead of wasting her time rooting for the Wizards.
Mia Khalifa who?
Look her up you will like here
This would have been an exciting reunion in 2015.
Spurs had a good draft. A healthy team should make them a playoff team again. Considering Aldridge and DeRozan are on their last yr. And Pops who I love, should be thinking about retirement. I don’t see them two lasting past the TD. Both would be good additions to a contender. Or a playoff team who wants to load up more. Spurs should be looking to the future imo.
Harden is a clock killer. A star who wants to be the reason for his teams success. He’s a great offensive player. Who does not play team ball. McHale, DAntoni, Morey, Howard, CP3, Westbrook have all bailed on him. His own owner has said his contract is insane. Then Har en doesn’t play D. He’s a one way player who is a ball stopper, clock killer. You will never win a championship with that as your primary baller. Even though Rockets have put together some descent talent. You can’t depend on guys coming back from serious injury. It takes a yr to settle back in. So to think they will compete is fantasy. They are better off moving Harden (he’s already turned down resigning) for as much as they can get. And move on to rebuilding. While he can still bring in value. Personally I doubt he lasts past the TD.
Spurs appear to have a man crush on Derozen & Aldridge…
So no playoff team that is one third option away traded for Derozen??? Wow. Pelinca in 3 years is running circles around these GM’s. Denver didn’t inquire? Mavs? Utah? Grizz have assets and picks…. Some teams enjoy being almost very good I guess…