The idea of DeMarcus Cousins signing with a playoff contender is one of the latest NBA rumors gaining momentum. Two of the potential teams that could be in the mix include the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
The Heat’s interest in adding a free agent before the playoffs originally was reported by Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel in response to a mailbag question about the possibility of Miami adding Cousins. It was also made clear that Miami would need to release a player to be able to make it happen.
It would make plenty of sense for the Heat to add Cousins considering the team’s potential first-round matchup being the Indiana Pacers, who play with a two-big frontcourt. It doesn’t hurt to have a versatile big man like Cousins to plug-and-play, regardless of matchup.
As for the Lakers, it was Dave McMenamin of ESPN speculating about the option of Los Angeles signing Cousins that added fuel to the idea. The thought is that he would provide a stretch-five impact the team currently lacks with some of its big men like Javale McGee and Dwight Howard.
The 2016-17 season was the most recent year of Cousins’ career where he played in at least 50 games. During that season, he averaged an impressive 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists with both the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans.
It has been a struggle for Cousins to stay healthy since being traded by the Kings. Each of his previous two seasons came to an early close due to a season-ending injury and he has yet to play in 2019-20 due to the injury rehabilitation process.
The added time off has afforded DeMarcus Cousins with substantially more opportunity to ready himself for a potential playoff run. Don’t expect to see his name quiet down when it comes to inclusion in NBA rumors as the season’s return approaches.
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