Report: DeMarcus Cousins Sitting Out NBA Restart In Orlando

He was expected to be one of the top free agent targets ahead of Tuesday’s acquisition window as 22 teams prepare to resume the 2019-2020 season in Orlando next month, but DeMarcus Cousins will reportedly not be participating.

This is what multiple teams told The Athletic’s Shams Charania, ending the hopes of teams looking for some quality depth and experience off the bench leading up to the restart in Orlando and the eight seeding matches before the playoffs begin.

Cousins, 29, is a four-time NBA All-Star center who made two All-NBA teams with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans before tearing his left Achilles tendon in January 2018, just months before he was scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency for the first time. To improve his value on a team with superstars, the 6-foot-10 big man shockingly signed a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, who had just come off two straight titles and three in four years.

Cousins’ comeback was strong, averaging more than 16 points and eight rebounds per game during the regular season, though Golden State was famously ravaged by injuries and fell to the Toronto Raptors in last year’s NBA Finals. Boogie then joined LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers on a one-year, $3.5 million prior to this season, but tore his left ACL in training last August. L.A. needed a roster spot and waived him on Feb. 24.

Instead of re-signing with the Lakers or another championship contender as he turns 30 on Aug. 13, Cousins will avoid the health and safety hazards of Orlando and wait until next season. But a Los Angeles Times report disputes Charania’s tweet, quoting Cousins’ agent Jeff Schwartz saying that he’s still weighing his options.

The 5th pick in the 2010 draft by Sacramento, Cuz was an automatic double-double and was an All-Star by his 5th season, when he averaged 24 and 12. But constant clashes with Kings coaches and management led to a trade to New Orleans, where he briefly teamed with Davis. Last season with Golden State was his first time playing in the postseason, and he averaged 7.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game on 39.6% shooting in 16.6 minutes per game in eight games and five starts.

With career averages of 21.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game and career earnings of about $88 million, there’s still time for Cousins to write a strong final chapter in a really good NBA career. Here’s to hoping he’s able to attain sustained good health so he can get that chance.