KEY POINTS

  • The Los Angeles Clippers sign DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the season
  • Cousins has to be content in playing the backup role for now
  • Cousins can use the current season to boost his stock and land a new deal in the offseason

DeMarcus Cousins has finally found a new home after the 30-year-old NBA star was signed for the rest of the season by the Los Angeles Clippers.

The temperamental big man struggled in the past due to various injuries but remains a potent threat on the floor.

“Boogie” was nearing the end of his second 10-day contract which is set to expire on Sunday. But needing all the help they can get and considering his performance, Cousins may have mustered just enough to retain his spot for the rest of the 2020-21 NBA season.

This was officially announced via the Clippers' Twitter account.

For Cousins, this would be a big sigh of relief. After starting the season with the Houston Rockets, the four-time All-Star waived in February.

Before getting cut, Cousins was averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes of action. He waited for a new team to pick him up, and this came only after two months when the Clippers gave him a shot.

So far, Cousins has averaged 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in a Clippers uniform. He is taking on a backup role--with Ivica Zubac in the center position.

The team needs some muscle with the bulk of the scoring assigned to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Although he is coming off the bench, his experience and hard-nosed play make him a logical fit for head coach Tyronn Lue.

It should be noted that Cousins was not especially comfortable playing as a backup to young players. This is well-documented when he played behind Christian Wood for the Rockets.

But right now and with few options, the fifth overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft may have to be content with what he has right now.

DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles against DaQuan Jeffries #55 of the Houston Rockets during the first quarter at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Getty Images | Carmen Mandato

Joining the Clippers is no assurance that Cousins will finally win his first NBA ring. That may all depend on how well things turn out for Lue and company.

The remainder of the season will also give Cousins a chance to show his true worth and hopefully get suitors in the offseason.

But for “Boogie,” it is all about playing and keeping himself healthy as he continues to get his pro hoop career back on track.

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