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The Houston Rockets release center DeMarcus Cousins on Tuesday after a mutual decision was made between the team and the big man to go their separate ways, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Cousins, whose veteran’s $ 2.3 million minimum wage was guaranteed by the Rockets last week in gratitude, will explore the interest of other teams.
Cousins, 30, a four-time All-Star trying to resurrect his career after a series of serious injuries, averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting just 37.6 percent from the ground in 25 games with the Rockets.
Sources said Cousins was unhappy with his role as a backup center behind Christian Wood, wishing for more playing time. Rockets coach Stephen Silas did not consider playing Wood together. and Cousins, because he wants to use Wood only as a center.
The Rockets have lost their last eight games after Wood, Houston’s top scorer and rebounder, injured his right ankle. Cousins, whose defensive limits were a problem, averaged 12.1 points and 9.0 rebounds during the stretch before losing Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls with a heel injury.
Cousins has rebounded in the league in recent seasons after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2017-18 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors, but tore his quadriceps muscle in the 2018-19 season. Cousins joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2019-20 campaign, but tore up his ACL before dressing for the team.
He has averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds for his career since being drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft.
The Athletic first announced Cousins’ imminent release.
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