With opening night less than two weeks away, four-time All-Star DeMarcus Cousins remains unsigned. However, Cousins continues to seek a new NBA home, telling Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports that he’ll be “prepared” if and when he gets his next opportunity and that he’s hoping to dispel the notion he’s a negative influence in a locker room.
“I think the misperception of me is that I’m this angry monster that just goes around bullying people, beating people up, uncoachable, and a cancer in the locker room,” Cousins said. “I think it’s all false. I played for coach (John) Calipari, a legendary coach. I was more than coachable. Steve Kerr would attest to that and Coach (Michael) Malone.
“Obviously, you can always go back to my time in Sacramento. I was a young kid. I was still figuring this business out. I was ignorant to a lot of things. I handled a lot of things the incorrect way, but I’ve also learned from those mistakes. … To hold my time in Sac over my head, I think that’s unfair. I believe we all should have a chance to grow and change and actually have that change be embraced. I just want a fair shot.”
Cousins hasn’t played more than 48 games in a season since 2016/17 due to a series of injuries and an inability to stick with one team (he has played for six clubs during that time). Still, he has shown in limited minutes that he’s still a talented scorer and rebounder, having averaged 9.0 PPG and 5.6 RPG in 48 appearances (15.0 MPG) last season for the Nuggets and Bucks. The 32-year-old believes he still has plenty to contribute to an NBA team.
“It would mean everything in the world to me to be back in the NBA,” Cousins told Haynes. “I know I belong in this league. I feel like I’ve paid my dues and earned my stripes. I’ve hit some bumps in the road with injuries and I’ve always worked my way back to be 100 percent healthy. I’ve worked my tail off to get back to this point. I just want the opportunity to show the work I’ve put in and continue to put in. I also just want an opportunity to also earn my keep and that’s all I really want.
“I have a lot left in the tank. A whole lot. I feel like I’ve actually become an even better player, just sharpening all my skills. I’ve had nothing but time in the gym. I’ve gotten better in all aspects of my game.”
Cousins’ 15 minutes per game last season represented his lowest average since he entered the NBA in 2010. However, he wouldn’t necessarily be pushing for a larger role with his next team, telling Haynes that he recognizes he’s no longer “the franchise player I was when I was younger” and has accepted that.
“Whatever role is given to me, I will do it willingly and to the best of my ability,” Cousins said. “Obviously, me being a competitor, I always want to reach for the stars, but I’m going to do what’s asked of me. And if it’s me starting, if it’s me coming off the bench, or if it’s me having to be at the end of the bench cheering the next guy on, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes. I’m willing to do whatever is needed to win.”
DeMarcus Cousins III
Nothing against Frank Kaminsky but I would much rather have Boogie than him as our 3rd big. Seems like he’d be a good fit with Pho or LAC as well. Just ask Christian Wood.. link to m.youtube.com
I don’t think anyone is holding Sacramento over his head. He’s been signed by several teams since those young days.
Don’t get why the nuggets haven’t signed him? Seemed to fit right in, looked good at moments that I’ve watched.
It has to tell you something when they signed DeAndre Jordan instead. I believe DeMarcus Cousins is probably the better player at this point so the difference must be as a teammate or in the locker room or the intangibles.
Really, Jordan looking like he had lead feet in a Sixers uniform. Cousins looked decent with the nuggets.
@ Gary:
Nuggets said it was because of injury history. But Malone wanted them to sign him.
Denver needed scoring with Jamal & MPJ out last season. With those guys back they moreso need rim protection, defense, positive voice in the locker room from their backup 5. DJordan better at what they need this season
That makes a lot of sense.
Bruce Brown
You can see the maturity in DeMarcus Cousins words. He has definitely grown from where he was as a young man. But he’s not all the way there yet.
Sure he’s still a decent player. He can shoot, he’s a monster around the basket and he’s a willing passer. But there’s still too much I, I, I, in his dialogue. “I deserve a shot, I worked my tail off, I can do this and that.” That’s fine and he does mix in the other dialogue of “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
So he knows what to say, it’s just that he’s not all the way there yet. He wants what he deserves in addition to, he’ll do whatever it takes. Hope that makes sense.
The do whatever it takes has to be 100% of the conversation. The “get what I deserve” seems to creep up 60 or 90 days into the contract and that wears out in the locker room.
NBA is a league for thoroughbreds not donkeys or jackasses.
Miami I think makes sense but I don’t think they have a roster spot
I have a lot left in the tank. Unfortunately, I have two flat tires.
DC might want to refrain from suggesting that anyone wondering about his attitude speak with Malone (can’t speak for the other coaches). I’m sure Malone and Booth will say all the right things. But here is what speaks louder than anything they might say. DC was a perfect fit in DEN basketball-wise. He allowed them to run the same offense that they do with Jokic, which was invaluable to a team operating at a talent deficit at the other spots. There are no other minimum wage backup C’s out there with his skill set and BB IQ. Yet, he’s not back. Why? (and it’s not DJ)
He’s taken the time to say, in effect, that he knows that there’s a perception out there that he’s high maintenance, but he isn’t. When you have to repeat a narrative to rebut it, it’s an uphill battle.
@DXC
Calvin Booth said he was concerned that Cousins is injury prone.
Under the previous GM, after the Nuggets were elimiated by GSW it was thought the Nuggets would sign him.
I’m sure he was concerned, about that and other things. I just don’t think that’s a complete reason not to bring him back. Nor was his stated desire to have a defensive option at the backup C spot. They’re trying to win it all. I’ll look at their final 15, but I doubt – strictly on the basketball merits – he wouldn’t be an upgrade from any of the them.
Cousins is a starter in the NBA, all star caliber player, I have been saying it for months, don’t understand how teams in a professional sports league who all should be seeking to win their divisions and make a run in the playoffs, don’t understand how they pass on him.
Not sure he’s a starter but he could totally contribute to a solid 20 minutes per game. Really surprised he’s not part of a team yet unless he’s asking for a lot of $$$$.
He’d be a great fit with the Celtics
He’d start on the Nets over Nic Claxton, he’d start in Charlotte over Mason Plumlee, probably five or six other teams that could start him and give him 25 minutes a game to the benefit of the team and in the pursuit of winning games.
Isn’t that what the league is all about? Making the playoffs, winning a title, and here is a guy that has been an NBA all-star, is 100% back from injury, with four or five good seasons left in the tank and he can’t get on a roster? He should be starting for one of a number of teams, and for teams to be passing on him to me it’s uncompetitive in some way, which is a travesty as much as some of these players are making.
Boogie still has ability. However, his chances of getting signed might have diminished after the Vic Wenbanyama and Scoot Henderson show.
A “non-contending” Play In potential team may not want a player who can “help”.
Everybody gonna want Lottery Balls.
Who wants a “Play In” slot after last night?????? Give me the Lottery Balls.
He’s just getting held out just as Melo did previously. He’s still better than half the guys in the league but it’s the ego, lack of defence and stuff which hurts his chances.
Idk I still think he’d be a good fit on a lot of teams GSW, Clippers, Hawks, Bucks, Nets, Wizards, Pistons, Blazers to name a few
DMC is a huge legend of the game… a real shame no one is giving him a chance, he is way better than a lot of guys in the league!
Not to forget one of the nicest guys as well!
He deserves nothing but good!
Nets really need to sign this guy. A couple of more bad exhibition game losses with their current centers getting destroyed defensively and I bet it happens.
I could see it happening if they decide to go with 15 standard contracts. He could get one over Watanabe.
Nuggets’ worst move of 2022 NBA offseason
DeAndre Jordan has struggled to find a long-term fit with a franchise over the past few years. He did not play well with the Nets, Lakers, or 76ers in his last three NBA stops. The veteran has clearly lost a step and has not kept up with the progression in talent that has continued in the NBA.
-Sean Barnard
Wow. They must be REALLY concerned about DeMarcus Cousins “injury risk.”
Celtics, Nets, Bucks make the most sense.
He’d still be one of the best backups in the league. He was good with both the bucks and nuggets last season. Both teams could use him. Nets, Bulls, Lakers, Bucks could use him
Lakers should sign him. Depth and offense off the bench. With a big. For the minimum, why not.
If I were Cousins I wouldn’t even sign with the Lakers that’s how F’d up that team is.
Lakers need another AD and Boogie have that offense skill, so they should give a try, unless they dump off Westbrook and take back Myles.
Tanks been on E since 2018
I could see LAC or even GSW giving him one last chance
What do you mean one last chance? Like this has to do with some kind of mercy, like the man’s talent doesn’t justify a position, to me that’s a travesty, in a league that is competitive with salary caps and luxury taxes, and huge contracts to middling players like Tyler Herro and Lonzo Ball, and many others, and then to not only short change the man but to tell him that it’s a mercy that your back in the league, you people should eat it. Plenty of a-holes and egos in sports, some of the best of all time probably the biggest a holes imaginable, but your not getting rid of them (Steph Curry, KD, LeBron, etc.) – but you want to make an example out of DeMarcus because why? Get screwed.
Being an a-hole is only half it. The other half is he just ain’t that good anymore due to the injuries and as soon as that happens in this league, heck in professional sports, guess what there’s 100 young players in line gunning for your spot. Most teams rather take a chance on developing the young guns they got, the rest of them already have better center depth than Cousins.
He played some good games in Denver in limited minutes, extrapolate his numbers to starters minutes and he averaged around 20 pts / 10 rebs / 4 asts / 1 block / 1 steal a game, those are just numbers but those are pretty good numbers.
He can score, rebound, shoot the three a little, and at 32 can still have the motor to motivated on defense.
bwmiller, did you just write that Steph Curry was an a-hole? Going to have to question your read on that my friend.
And while you’re at it please explain why if DeMarcus Cousins is so great on the floor, why hasn’t he signed yet? Why hasn’t a team Inked him before training camp started? And don’t say politics or he’s getting aced out for something Beyond his control.
As with anything in life if you want to look at why something is happening to you, the very first place to look is in the MIRROR.
When that’s figured out, then you can work on blaming the other things, which of course is out of your control by the way.., so why waste your time?
Biggest A hole in the league I’d say, but to each their own, everybody deserves to have a perspective and an opinion, and here’s one for you –
You’re the biggest A hole on this board, this is a message board were we talk about hoops, we don’t lecture people here on propriety.
Take your preaching elsewhere.
I appreciate your opinion and respect your right to express it. Thank you. Going to be tough though because it’s in my nature to coach and preach. I can’t promise you won’t see it again. You could mute me and not see any of my posts?
With so many teams tanking this season, it is probably more difficult to find a team.
Tanking teams best invest in young players than someone that can contribute only this season. And next to that you need players that coach those younger players. Dont know if Cousins can take up the role of coaching younger players.
I hope he comes back to the Nuggets. Nuggets play 12 back to backs this year. I’d like to see Boogie start 6 of those plus a few more rest games for Joker…and split back-up duties w DeAndre…so that all the bigs sit plenty of minutes and are avl for the playoffs. Of course, I don’t have to be in the locker room w Cousins.
Narrator: He, in fact, did not.