After playing fairly well in a Houston Rockets uniform for two months, center DeMarcus Cousins will likely have a new team pretty soon. According to reporter Shams Charania, Houston has made plans to release Cousins and will make the move effective within a few days.
Although Cousins has played solid ball for them this season, averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds on 20.2 minutes per game off the bench, the Rockets don’t believe that he fits into their future plans.
For one, the Rockets want to play small-ball, something that requires a very specific kind of roster—and in their eyes, Cousins doesn’t fit the criteria. In addition, Houston has been in somewhat of a rebuilding phase after trading James Harden, and therefore are of the mindset to give priority to their younger players.
Apparently, both Houston and Cousins originally wanted to stick together, but logistically it just didn’t work out. However, it would appear that other teams might be interested in Cousins’ services.
Teams such as the Portland Trailblazers, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly strong candidates to land the former All-Star. However, chances are his role won’t be a large one no matter which team he goes to.
