Author of a great 2021-22 season under the colors of the Bucks and the Nuggets, DeMarcus Cousins is still waiting to find a buyer on the free agent market. The recent comments he has been the subject of, however, may not help him in this process!
Going suddenly from regular All-Star and franchise player to simple shadow player is not an easy transition. DeMarcus Cousins nevertheless had to follow this course, weighed down by two major injuries contracted almost in quick succession in 2018 and 2019. Since then, the big man has been trying somehow to keep his place in the league, and had done it rather well these last last months. However, the worries may not be over for him.
DeMarcus Cousins more suitable for the NBA?
Author of a good freelance with the Nuggets at the end of the season, Cousins could approach the offseason with relative confidence. A free agent, he seemed destined to continue his journey in Denver given his performance there. And yet, the franchise has decided to trust DeAndre Jordan to occupy its spot next year. A disillusion that Harrison Wind tried to explain in the columns of The DNVR :
The Nuggets had real concerns about Cousins and his ability to stay healthy all season. Cousins suffered from a calf injury when he signed in Denver, then missed a few games with a sprain early in his Nuggets adventure. Jordan may be 34, but he’s been able to avoid physical glitches relatively well in recent years.
In addition to his physical fragility, set to increase at almost 32 years old, DMC can deplore his defensive shortcomings, which would also be the cause of his snob:
The Nuggets wanted a better hoop protector as a backup pivot behind Nikola Jokic. They believe that Jordan brings them this profile.
Finally, Cousins probably lost his place because… of his strong character, which got him into trouble again after his arrival in Colorado:
This is just my reading of it, but I think the Nuggets didn’t want to deal with Cousins’ propensity to rack up technical fouls anymore.
In view of this not really flattering portrait, which team could want Boogie? Hope still remains for the latter, and lies in his ability to sanction 3 points.
The Nuggets also wanted a backup pivot whose priority is to roll to the circle and be a lob threat on pick-and-rolls, rather than coming out behind the 3-point line. Cousins was exclusively a big pick-and-pop. He can still shoot from long range and is an underrated passer and playmaker. (…) I think Cousins should absolutely receive a contract from another team for next season.
Despite his good offensive performance in Denver, DeMarcus Cousins no longer met the criteria sought by the Nuggets in a backup pivot. It only remains for him to hope that another franchise will need a 5 scorer and shooter position off the bench!