3. DeMarcus Cousins, Center
With the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers both getting rid of the former superstar NBA center DeMarcus Cousins rather quickly, he’s hitting free agency yet again. “Boogie” Cousins didn’t get to play in a single game with the Lakers before that season-ending ACL injury he suffered late last year.
Cousins is still a 29-year-old center that can offer a lot to whatever team he lands with if he gets ample time to recover from this injury. The Warriors apparently didn’t give ample time to recover for Cousins prior to him playing in the NBA Finals against Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors last season. But he’ll have plenty of time to get back from this ACL injury.
During his NBA career, Cousins played seven seasons with the Sacramento Kings, two with the New Orleans Pelicans, and one with the Warriors. This latest season-ending injury held Cousins from getting a reunion with superstar big man Anthony Davis and point forward LeBron James with the Lakers.
The Lakers wound up waiving Cousins to make room for the signing of former Detroit Pistons forward Markeiff Morris once he hit the buyout market.
In his latest full season stint (which came with the Pelicans), Cousins averaged 25.2 points per game, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.6 steals, while shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three-point land.
Imagine if the Chicago Bulls could get their foot in the door early and sign Cousins down to a minimum contract for two or three years. Even getting a version of Boogie that comes at 75 percent the production he was as an All-Star and that’s well worth it.
Cousins is a four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and was a member of the 2010-11 All-Rookie Team. A lot of people forget that he was a bona fide All-Star selection with the Pelicans just two years ago.