Michael Singer: The #Nuggets have officially signed DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the season, a league source tells @denverpost.
More on DeMarcus Cousins Free Agency
Sean Cunningham: While it’s been reported that DeMarcus Cousins will sign with Denver for the rest of the season, his 10-day deal expired & I’m told he will not be with the Nuggets for the remainder of their trip. Therefore the former Kings All-Star will not play in Sacramento on Thursday.
Shams Charania: Sources: The Denver Nuggets are planning to sign center DeMarcus Cousins to a rest-of-season contract in the coming days. Cousins’ final 10-day expired over the weekend. He’s averaged 6.1 points and 6.3 rebounds with Denver, where he’s reunited with Michael Malone.
Mike Singer: Confirming this. Plan is for #Nuggets to sign Cousins for the rest of the season on Friday, per league source.
The Denver Nuggets have signed center DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.
Jordan Schultz: Source: #Nuggets are signing DeMarcus Cousins to his third 10-day contract. HC Michael Malone gets his wish.
Ryan Blackburn: Michael Malone: “I fully expect DeMarcus Cousins to be back with us at some point... it is my hope that DeMarcus will be back with us in the near future.”
Ryan Blackburn: The Nuggets have not signed DeMarcus Cousins yet. He is not on the roster for tonight's game against the New York Knicks. It can of course change going forward, but it will be very interesting to see how the Nuggets handle backup center. They've been rumored to want an upgrade.
The Nuggets are likely to sign veteran center DeMarcus Cousins to another 10-day contract, a league source told The Denver Post, however a timeline is fluid with Thursday’s NBA trade deadline approaching.
Michael Singer: Nikola Jokic on DeMarcus Cousins: "He proved me wrong." Said he enjoys being around him, and he thinks he can help them.
Adam Mares: DeMarcus Cousins on his future: I would love to be here. I think it’s a great fit. Both sides benefit from it and I think can be the extra piece to push us over the top.
Michael Singer: Malone says he'll get with Tim Connelly regarding DeMarcus Cousins and whether he'll stick beyond the 10-day, which expires today. Reiterates, he's a fan.
Katy Winge: Some Nuggets news today: Denver has cut DeMarcus Cousins, only to re-sign him to a new 10-day contract today to fill the open roster spot for the Nuggets. Since the Nuggets have enough players cleared of health and safety protocol, that exemption is no longer available.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent center DeMarcus Cousins will sign a 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets today, sources tell ESPN. Denver has six games in the stretch, beginning vs. Memphis and Detroit on Friday and Sunday.
Mike Singer: Assuming he's healthy, there's still mutual interest in DeMarcus Cousins landing with the #Nuggets, source tells @denverpost.
Harrison Wind: Michael Malone today on @AltitudeSR: “If (DeMarcus Cousins) becomes a member of this Nugget team at some point, obviously you’d be adding a terrific player. I think his short stint in Milwaukee is proof of that. He went to the defending world champions and played lights out.”
Michael Singer: DeMarcus Cousins update: #Nuggets still have significant interest in signing him to a 10-day but deal isn't expected today, league source tells @denverpost.
Michael Singer: Can confirm @Shams Charania reporting: Barton has entered protocols, James Ennis will be signed to a 10-day COVID exception, and DeMarcus Cousins, later this week, will likely sign on a 10-day injury exception. One more: #Nuggets assistant Popeye Jones has entered H&S protocols.
Michael Singer: The #Nuggets are likely to sign DeMarcus Cousins, league source tells @denverpost, but nothing is finalized yet. More coming soon.
Marc J. Spears: Cousins is expected to meet with Nuggets president Tim Connelly before a contract is officially offered, according to sources. Cousins also played for Nuggets head coach Michael Malone with the Sacramento Kings and had a solid relationship with him.
Shams Charania: The Denver Nuggets are planning to sign free agent center DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Marc J. Spears: The Dallas Mavericks also expressed interest in Cousins, the source said.
Shams Charania: The Milwaukee Bucks plan to waive center DeMarcus Cousins, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium . Bucks are opting for roster flexibility ahead of league-wide contract guarantee date Friday. There’s expected to be interest in Cousins as a free agent.
"We wouldn't have been able to get through this difficult stretch of the season as successfully as we did without DeMarcus," Horst told ESPN on Wednesday night. "At the end of the day, we made a strategic decision to have an open roster spot, but there's nothing that would prevent us from partnering with DeMarcus again down the road. He was so good for us, and hopefully we helped him too."
The Milwaukee Bucks have signed free agent center DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins, 31, is a 10-year NBA veteran with averages of 20.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocked shots in 606 career regular season games for the Kings, Pelicans, Warriors, Rockets and Clippers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: How do you make a tissue dance?! You put a little "Boogie" in it!! My Dad jokes are back!!
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent center DeMarcus Cousins plans to sign a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, source tells ESPN.
Shams Charania: The Milwaukee Bucks are signing four-time All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins to a non-guaranteed deal, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Bucks kept an open roster spot, needed size and will bring Cousins into a strong culture on a non-guaranteed deal. Cousins played well for Clippers in significant stretches a season ago, and stayed in shape awaiting an opportunity. Now Cousins gets a deal on the defending champs.
Harrison Wind: Michael Malone pregame in Minnesota asked about the evolution of the big man. He brings up DeMarcus Cousins who he coached in Sacramento: “I think it’s crazy that DeMarcus is not in the league right now. That guy is a very, very talented player.”
DeMarcus Cousins: #NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/VjrtLrpdy2
DeMarcus Cousins has received an offer from a Chinese league team, and he's seriously considering the opportunity to play in the CBA.
According to a media report, a source revealed that five CBA teams have asked for DeMarcus Cousins’ resume, and three of them are very interested in Cousins. One is a CBA team with strong financial resources. But whether the contract can be reached in the end is not yet known.
Chris Haynes: The Los Angeles Clippers will sign DeMarcus Cousins for the remainder of the season, league sources tell @YahooSports.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Ty Lue says DeMarcus Cousins can help for rest of the season, especially once he learns playbook. Cousins is currently on second 10-day. Clippers like what they’ve seen and Cousins has best odds of remaining for season of roster options. They’re weighing best fits for postseason.
Mirjam Swanson: Clippers re-sign DeMarcus Cousins to second 10-day deal
Shams Charania: The Clippers are signing four-time All-Star DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract this week, pending clearance of health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Marcus Morris: Let’s get it!
Shams Charania: The Los Angeles Clippers plan to sign center DeMarcus Cousins, pending clearance of NBA health and safety protocols, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free center DeMarcus Cousins and the Clippers are discussing a 10-day contract, but no decision is expected until next week, sources tell ESPN.
Shot-blocker Hassan Whiteside could still be bought out by Sacramento and seems to fit Thibodeau’s rim-protecting mold. The Knicks have at the least discussed Cousins despite his baggage. Thibodeau prefers for this group a defensive center alongside All-Star power forward Julius Randle, and wasn’t sure Drummond was the right fit after he and brass viewed film over the last few weeks. The Knicks ultimately will have plenty of cap room on Draft Night to potentially facilitate a deal.
The Heat has until April 19 to sign a player earning no more than $4.7 million or trade for a player in the final year of his contract who’s earning no more than that. That money seems more likely to be spent on the buyout market if used at all, with DeMarcus Cousins still an option (though some in the organization are very much opposed to that) and Aldridge if the Spurs can’t trade him and decide to release him instead.
Some players who have been rumored to be potential buyout candidates are point guard George Hill, wing Tony Snell, sharpshooter Wayne Ellington and wing Otto Porter Jr., who is a player long desired by Olshey. Big man DeMarcus Cousins was waived last month by Houston, but a source said the Blazers will not consider him.
League sources say they have interest in free agent DeMarcus Cousins, but Drummond is their preference if he gets bought out. Drummond has been benched while the Cavaliers seek a trade, but there’s doubt around the league that they’ll be able to find one due to his massive $28.8 million salary.
Center DeMarcus Cousins, whose stock is low, is still a free agent after being unceremoniously waived by Houston. “That’s a Leon question,’’ Thibodeau said before the game. “We have more than enough on the roster so we’ll figure out a way. We have guys that can play multiple positions and then we’re going to have to take care of the rebounding, gang rebound. Everyone has to contribute in that area.’’
Howard Beck: I talked to a couple of scouts of Washington recently, and one of the things that struck them was like he's basically out there jacking up shots, and he's jacking up long distance shots. He's not even trying inside.
Shams Charania: DeMarcus Cousins has cleared waivers and is free to sign with any NBA team, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
There are no immediate plans to fill Cook’s roster spot, and multiple people with knowledge of the situation said they don’t expect the Lakers to reunite with Houston center DeMarcus Cousins if he becomes available as expected. The team will, however, monitor the buyout and trade markets for potential additions to their frontcourt.
Mark Berman: #Rockets GM @RafaelStone12 on decision to waive DeMarcus Cousins (@DeMarcus Cousins): “DeMarcus worked really, really hard for us and we’re very appreciative.We’ve been talking to him about this for a little while. The timing we think is good for him to best explore opportunities..” pic.twitter.com/lkeSV4MSJw
Jonathan Feigen: The Rockets have as expected just waived center DeMarcus Cousins.
Kelly Iko: John Wall on the #Rockets letting DeMarcus Cousins go: “It’s tough. Someone I call my brother. The decision that was made, that’s out of my hands. I think he did a hell of a job coming back from an injury, hopefully he’ll get another job soon.”
Bobby Marks: The Rockets are responsible for $1.6M of the $2.56M salary for DeMarcus Cousins. The NBA will reimburse Houston on the difference (roughly $950K).
Shams Charania: The Houston Rockets are releasing DeMarcus Cousins, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. This allows the four-time All-Star to find a team elsewhere and garner interest on the open market.
Shams Charania: Rockets guaranteed Cousins’ $2.3M salary for the season last week, and had positive feedback about his professional approach in 25 games for the team.
“If it is about money then that is the problem there for [the Lakers],” one general manager told Heavy.com. “Cousins never got that big second contract in the NBA. He might want to make the most money he can with this, and he can’t make much with the Lakers.”
“Just in terms of the Xs and Os, I don’t see how it goes together,” one Western Conference assistant coach said. “Gasol does not move, he gets killed in pick-and-rolls. Same thing with Boogie. Harrell is small, he does not protect the rim. So you would be adding a guy who has the same holes in his game as your other two, at least defensively.”
Jonathan Feigen: Stephen Silas described DeMarcus Cousins situation as "just rumors at this point." He did not finish practice on Sunday because of a foot issue.
Barry Jackson: Heat has shown interest in Cousins before. Heat expecting to get a disabled player's exception for $4.7 M. Golden State and Brooklyn have higher disabled player's exceptions but are also well into luxury tax. Heat could use the $4.7 M when granted and not be in tax.
Kevin O'Connor: Sources: The Lakers will be among the teams to pursue DeMarcus Cousins. The market will be limited for Cousins, sources say. He has struggled this year after returning from multiple major injuries. But for LA or any team in need of big man depth, few options bring higher upside.
Mark Berman: NBA sources confirm #Rockets parting ways w/ DeMarcus Cousins via trade or releasing him. Rockets guaranteed his salary b/c management appreciates his professionalism & how he went about his business. Rockets want to do right by free agents they sign. @Shams Charania reported 1st
Shams Charania: 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.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Houston Rockets have guaranteed center DeMarcus Cousins' $2.3M contract for the rest of the season, sources tell ESPN. Teams have until February 27 to make that decision on non-guaranteed deals.
Jonathan Feigen: Rockets announce the signing of four-time All-Star DeMarcus Cousins. Per Rockets: Cousins is one of 11 players in NBA history to have career averages of 20 points, 10 rebounds and three assists since the NBA began tracking assists in 73-74.
Shams Charania: Cousins will sign a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, sources said. Houston expressed interest in signing the four-time All-Star before the NBA restart in July. Cousins serves as an upside signing, and has shown focus and drive in rehab through multiple long-term injuries.
Marc J. Spears: The Rockets showed interest in DeMarcus Cousins since the beginning of free agency. The free agent big man signs a one-year contract, Cousins confirms to @TheUndefeated.
Chris Haynes: Yahoo Sources: Former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins worked out for the Houston Rockets today and impressed the organization, quelling any health concerns. He’s as hungry as ever.
Shams Charania: Free agent DeMarcus Cousins and the Houston Rockets are nearing a deal, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Tim MacMahon: Source: DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a one-year deal with the Rockets.
Kelly Iko: In addition to Christian Wood, the Rockets spoke with Demarcus Cousins’ camp earlier today, a source told @TheAthletic. Houston is exploring the big man market.
As far as replenishing the lost depth, James is a powerful recruiter. The Lakers could revisit DeMarcus Cousins, former James teammates like Tristan Thompson (also a Klutch client) and Kyle Korver and/or a versatile defender like Maurice Harkless.
Cousins could have an opportunity to officially be part of an NBA team again this week. He has not ruled out signing with a team to finish out the season in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Fla., according to his agent, Jeff Schwartz. But it would have to be a situation in which he feels comfortable to play rather than continue his rehab.
Shams Charania: Sources: Multiple teams have expressed interest in DeMarcus Cousins but have been told the four-time All-Star will sit out the resumed season and continue rehab for full return in 2020-21.
With Davis Bertans opting out of the NBA's restart, the Washington Wizards are allowed to sign a replacement player before they head to Orlando, and they plan to do just that, NBC Sports Washington has learned. That player would be "for the short-term," according to a person familiar with their plans. And, partly because of that, they can definitively rule out center DeMarcus Cousins.
The Wizards are thinking in the immediate future and who could help them go for the playoffs when they arrive at Disney World with eight regular season games offered in the NBA's return-to-play plan. But that does not mean they are trying to replace Bertans specifically. What he does is unique, especially given his size. They could sign a different type of player and search for three-point shooting in other areas of their roster.
Wall spoke on the matter Wednesday in an Instagram Live interview with ESPN's The Undefeated. He told Marc Spears he is still lobbying for the Wizards to sign Cousins, though after years of doing so, he seems to understand full well it is probably still a pipe dream. "Oh man, you know I'm trying to push for that. I've been on that for like five years. I want to sign him right now," Wall said.
By the time the NBA returns in late July, Cousins will be less than a year removed from a very serious injury. So, it probably wouldn't be smart for Cousins to return until next year, and Wall even said that himself. "I'm like 'bro, be smart, take your time to get all the way healthy so you can show these people what you're all about,'" Wall said. "I want him to focus on that and get back to the Boogie that he was."
A common mistake is to assume that since the Lakers cut Cousins this season, they won't be able to re-sign him. That's simply not the case. If rosters expand to 17 players (or if they stay at 15 and the team makes a cut), L.A. could certainly bring Cousins back for the stretch run. Perhaps the confusion is a similar rule. Had Los Angeles traded Cousins to another team and that franchise then chose to release him, the Lakers would be barred from bringing the center back as a free agent this season.
So is he a possibility for the Lakers? "Maybe," one Western Conference executive said. A former executive said of Cousins and the Lakers, "That's the only team. He respects [LeBron James], and he's [Anthony Davis'] boy. [Other teams] don't want that distraction. There's a small window of time to play, and you can't let up."
Another team that might want to consider Cousins would be the Los Angeles Clippers. They still have Joakim Noah on an unfortunately named 10-day contract that dates back to March 9. With the NBA freezing rosters a few days later, Noah is still on that same temporary contract. If he can earn his keep, he would give the Clippers a defensive-minded option inside, which may be more valuable than what Cousins might bring as a scoring big man.
When we last left the Lakers, Cousins -- signed last summer and subsequently lost for the season with a blown knee -- had been waived to make room for forward Markieff Morris. There is speculation the league may allow expanded playoff rosters in the bubble -- perhaps carrying 17-20 players -- in order to have more reserves available should a rash of COVID-19 cases hit. With the extra time off to rehab, combined with potential expanded rosters, will Cousins make his return to L.A.? The former All-Star center would give the Lakers the stretch 5 they missed most of the season and, with crowd noise a nonfactor in Orlando's empty arenas, he could certainly have an impact as a vocal bench presence.
ESPN’s NBA insider Brian Windhorst, on his recent podcast, expressed his thoughts what the offseason will most likely bring to big name free-agent DeMarcus Cousins. “I think DeMarcus Cousins is looking at a make good contract, even if it’s more than a minimum. I think that after a series of injuries he’s had, all of which indicates that he’s coming back too fast, doing too much, he needs even more time of coming back from this. He’s gonna have a job in the league, but I don’t think it’s gonna be a big money,” the NBA insider said.
For Heat fans wondering about DeMarcus Cousins, who was released by the Lakers this week to make room for Markieff Morris, keep in mind that even though the Heat likes Cousins and pursued him last summer, there’s no indication he’s looking to leave Southern California. Cousins, who hasn’t played this season because of a torn ACL in his left knee sustained last August, continued rehabbing with the Lakers at their facility on Tuesday, and there’s nothing to preclude the Lakers from signing him before the playoffs if he’s healthy.
Well, Cousins won’t be able to do that anymore. Per league rules, he can continue his rehab with the Lakers, at their practice facility, but he can’t fly on the team plane or sit on the bench once he’s waived. But the Lakers could re-sign him this summer, something both sides have expressed interest in pursuing, sources said.
Dave McMenamin: The Lakers make the Morris addition official. DeMarcus Cousins is waived to create the roster spot. pic.twitter.com/9KLvOPgr8t
Eddie Sefko: Asked Mark Cuban if he thought anybody would kick the tires on DeMarcus Cousins and he said Mavs would have been interested “but we don’t have a roster spot and we don’t have anybody we want to let go.”
ShowtimeForum: "I'm told DeMarcus Cousins plans to remain with the Lakers for the remainder of the season to continue rehabbing his torn ACL." Via: @Shams Charania | #Lakeshow
