DeMarcus Cousins was widely considered one of the best centers in the league during his prime. He played a great brand of inside bully ball, but also had the skills to step outside and space the floor. DeMarcus Cousins in his prime was a perfect center on the offensive end. While he has slowed down some in recent years due to multiple injuries, DeMarcus Cousins is still a valuable player who can contribute with his experience and his defense. He has had a decent amount of good games this season, and it shows that he has a lot left in the tank.
However recently, it was revealed by Shams Charania that the Houston Rockets would be parting ways with DeMarcus Cousins since they plan to go smaller and younger in their frontcourt.
The Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins are planning to part ways in coming days, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Houston wants to go smaller, younger in frontcourt when Christian Wood returns and this allows Cousins to find an opportunity elsewhere.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2021
Moving on from the Houston Rockets means that DeMarcus Cousins will have to find a new NBA team. Cousins can contribute to a contender, and perhaps earn a solid contract for the future. Here are the top 5 destinations for DeMarcus Cousins.
5. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics could use an option to go bigger at the center position to guard dominant big men like Joel Embiid. Cousins could fill a role in Boston that would allow him to get solid playing time, and keep getting better post-injury. He would be asked to space the floor, and guard big centers when there is a need for his skill set. DeMarcus Cousins could be a high-energy player off of the bench, and would also provide veteran experience for this Boston Celtics squad.
The prospect of DeMarcus Cousins going to the Boston Celtics could be intriguing. It would be a low-risk move with all upside. If DeMarcus Cousins ends up looking even slightly more like his dominant self throughout the course of the season, he could be a solid sixth man who contributes all over the court.
4. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have won their last two games, the most recent one against the Los Angeles Lakers. While they are currently the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, and they could easily make a push to be a playoff seed. They have a solid team with two All-Star caliber players in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Signing DeMarcus Cousins could provide the Miami Heat with a valuable player for their depth, and he could definitely be a high-upside signing.
The Miami Heat will benefit from having a player like DeMarcus Cousins, who can do almost anything that a team can ask for from a backup center. Cousins brings solid rebounding, shooting, and defense. Having him as a backup to Bam Adebayo is a blessing, and Cousins is most certainly a more dynamic player than Kelly Olynyk. Under Erik Spoelstra, Cousins could hopefully become a productive part of a team whose aspiration will be to win a championship after getting so close last season.
3. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a team that needs some extra firepower. Despite Luka Doncic’s continued brilliance, they are still the 1oth seed in the Western Conference. DeMarcus Cousins could be a great offensive option next to Luka Doncic, as he has some degree of shot creation, but will also benefit from Doncic’s passing with easy threes and shots at the rim. Cousins would have a solid offensive role where he could showcase his abilities.
DeMarcus Cousins is a great leader, and could perhaps help the Dallas Mavericks with getting to a playoff spot. Cousins could be a solid depth signing for the Mavericks and offers more potential for the offense than some of the Mavericks’ other big men.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers could use a depth option behind Serge Ibaka. DeMarcus Cousins does a lot of similar things to Serge Ibaka. They can both space the floor, and contribute in a smaller offensive role. DeMarcus Cousins would be perfect as a big man off the bench, and he would have a real chance to win a ring with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Playing next to two superstars in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard could be beneficial for DeMarcus Cousins. He would have less attention on him during minutes played with the superstar duo, and could thus have more space to operate since the defenses would be keyed into Leonard and George.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers could be a top-tier destination for DeMarcus Cousins. They have lost a dominant inside presence in Dwight Howard during the past offseason, and Anthony Davis is set to be out for some time. Signing DeMarcus Cousins would provide a solid player at the center position: he provides a more athletic rebounding presence than Marc Gasol and can space the floor when he plays next to LeBron James.
DeMarcus Cousins would provide solid size off the bench, and could be a key cog in a championship team. DeMarcus Cousins would be amazing in the Dwight Howard role from last season and could help the Lakers get another veteran who can guard the talented big men of the Western Conference, such as Nikola Jokic.
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