NBA Rumors: Rockets Gamble With Cousins, Hand ‘Boogie’ Short-Term Chance To Take Off

DeMarcus Cousins will have a new lease on life, and this time he will have to earn his keep.

The four-time All-Star will have a year to prove he can still play in the NBA although he joins a troubled Houston Rockets quintet.

Most expected Cousins to make a return with the Los Angeles Lakers although he would likely get a minimum deal. However, the entry of Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol raises questions on whether the purple and gold would still have use for him, albeit the playing time he would get.

Probably factoring those scenarios, Cousins agreed to join a team where he could probably rebuild his career and shine again.

“Boogie” told Marc Spears of The Undefeated that he was grateful for the opportunity and excited for what’s ahead.

"Grateful for the opportunity and excited for what's ahead," Cousins said.

There is no telling if Cousins will be ready by the start of the 2020-21 season. In a previous post, it was mentioned that the 30-year-old center is still recovering from a left ACL tear.

Despite allegedly not being physically ready, Cousins had a workout with the Rockets and did just enough to convince management to offer him a one-year but non-guaranteed deal, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported citing sources.

The past two years have been rough on Cousins, joining powerhouse teams who were hoping to get more muscle from the fifth overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.

His stint with the Golden State Warriors was hardly felt with the 6-foot-10 missing much of the season with an Achilles and torn quadriceps injury.

He never got to play a single game for the Lakers but was nevertheless kept until February. Seeing that it is a non-guaranteed deal, his forthcoming run with the Rockets may not last the whole season.

That is unless Cousins finds a way to prove to the Rockets’ front office that he remains reliable and capable of leading the franchise.

Though his options are limited, Cousins may have just kissed his NBA championship dreams goodbye. Houston used to be one of the title contender favorites, but most know that the franchise is in turmoil.

James Harden and Russell Westbrook are asking to be traded, but nothing has materialized as of this writing.

If the two are dealt out, Cousins may have to do more than just prove he can be durable enough and step up to keep Houston’s competitive flame alive.