DeMarcus Cousins, who was released by the Rockets earlier this week, is one of several additions the Heat are considering for their frontcourt, a source tells Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. Cousins is expected to clear waivers at 5 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, making him a free agent.
Jackson’s source identifies four other players Miami is targeting if they become available. That group includes Spurs forward Rudy Gay, Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica and Rockets forward P.J. Tucker, The Heat are also monitoring Pistons forward Blake Griffin, but they wouldn’t take on his contract, which includes a $38.96MM player option for next season, and will only try to sign him if he is released.
Jackson adds that Miami’s front office is doing “due diligence” on all those players and it’s not clear who the preference is.
The most intriguing option may be Cousins, a six-time All-Star who tried to revive his career in Houston after back-to-back Achilles and ACL injuries. He averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 25 games for the Rockets and was most effective as a backup. His lack of mobility became a more pronounced issue when he was moved into the starting lineup after an injury to Christian Wood.
Miami tried to sign Cousins in 2019, Jackson notes, but he opted for the Lakers. Cousins is also expected to consider the Raptors, Celtics and Warriors, according to Jackson.
Jackson believes Gay would be used in the same role as Jae Crowder, who left Miami to sign with the Suns in November. It’s not certain that San Antonio wants to part with Gay, who makes $14.5MM on an expiring contract, but Jackson notes that an offer of Kelly Olynyk would work under the cap, as would the combination of Avery Bradley and Meyers Leonard, who is out for the season after shoulder surgery.
Of those options, Rudy Gay is by far the best option
We need a big to rebound and defend the rim. I like Drummond
Let me know when Drummond decides to do the latter, or defend pick and rolls. We already had Whiteside. If anything, we need a big that can defend the post for 8-14 minutes per game in certain matchups, and obviously rebound, but that need isnt as big as help defensively at the 4/3 spots, which was already an issue, specifically at the 4, even before losing Crowder and DJJ
You do realize that Drummond got a vote for 1st All-NBA Defensive team last season, right?
Dre might not be the best defender, but man to get a vote ahead of dudes like Embiid, Davis, Turner, Gobert, Capela, Whiteside & so on… he has to be a pretty good defender, right?
You’re putting Whiteside in there answers your question for you, although admittedly, he is better at certain things when he cares enough
bro media people throw votes around. look at the stats. not a good defender.
Porzingis also received a 2nd team vote, he must be a darn good defender.
Lol A VOTE. C’mon man.
i mean nowadays drummond is roy hibbert but with better shooting and bad defense
Cousins would be cool, and then trade for Tucker.
Cousins off the bench as a centre that can shoot the ball and rebound. Feel like he would fit in with the locker room too. Butler Herro Bam Dragic etc.
Tucker again another good locker room fit and at the PF spot could be a nice defender and floor spacer.
Heat would do better to get a big. Especially a rim protector it will free Bam more.
Honestly, Tucker would be the best fit.
If they can get Tucker and Sterling Brown, that would be very helpful, although Tucker has been bad this season, and has been trending downward these last couple of years.
…and also the Heat are arguably getting more from Harkless than what PJ Tucker has done this year, so obviously that’s worrisome
I like Blake, who can provide the spark we need. Hands down. Also we need to get Lonzo Ball to address the PG position. He is a great defender, prolific passer, and his ceiling is high when it comes to his shot. We would b a top backcourt defensive team with Zo at the 1, butler at the 2, Okpala at the 3, Griffin at 4 and Bam at 5. Just think about it.