NBA Rumors: Clippers Expected To Sign Former Lakers, Warriors Big Man

The Los Angeles Clippers are expected to join some of the NBA’s other contenders in signing a former All-Star after the trade deadline. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that DeMarcus Cousins and the Clippers are in discussions about a 10-day contract.

While a deal hasn’t been finalized, the center has started COVID-19 testing protocols so that the Clippers can sign him, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Clippers want a third center behind Ivica Zubac and Serge Ibaka and have been talking with Cousins on fulfilling that role on a 10-day. https://t.co/VcGEMnprLw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 31, 2021

Sources: Cousins is in LA and is starting testing protocols to join the Clippers. He is former teammates of Rajon Rondo (New Orleans, Sacramento)/Patrick Patterson (Kentucky, Sacramento), played with Kawhi Leonard in past All-Star games, and adds depth to Clippers’ frontcourt. https://t.co/8GVp2HAS8E
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2021

An All-Star in every season from 2015-2018, Cousins has bounced around the league in recent years, plagued by injuries. Cousins was part of the Golden State Warriors’ team that reached the 2019 NBA Finals, and he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in the subsequent summer before a torn ACL sidelined him for the entire season.

In 25 games with the Houston Rockets this season, Cousins averaged career-lows of 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Shooting just 37.6% from the field, Cousins was released in February.

Ivica Zubac is averaging 8.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as the Clippers’ backup center. Serge Ibaka has started 39 games for L.A.

The Clippers made one trade at the March 25 deadline, swapping point guard Lou Williams for Rajon Rondo.

Andre Drummond, the best available center in free agency, signed with the Lakers. LaMarcus Aldridge reportedly considered the Clippers before joining the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent.

The Clippers have the third-best record in the Western Conference, trailing the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz in the standings.