The time of DeMarcus Cousins in Houston ends.
The Rockets and their veteran center plan to separate in the coming days, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The team is apparently trying to get smaller and younger in the post, and would rather rely on Christian Wood, but rather move forward.
The Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins plan to separate in the coming days, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadium. Houston wants to get smaller, younger up front when Christian Wood returns and that could give Cousins an opportunity elsewhere.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 20 February 2021
Cousins averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 25 games for the Rockets this season, mostly off the bench. The 3-year-old signed a $ 2.3 million deal with Houston one season this season, his first year back in the league after missing a season while recovering from an ACL injury.
Houston, , Cousins’ contract was fully guaranteed at the end of the season on Friday. Once the separation is official, Cousins will be able to sign where he wants.
Christian Wood will return soon after ankle injury
Wood came down with an ankle injury in their win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 4 and has since been sidelined.
The timing could not have been worse either, as Wood was in the middle of a career season while apparently finally finding his place in the league. The 25-year-old averaged 22 points and 10.2 rebounds in 17 games for Houston this season. Before the season, he signed a $ 41 million deal with the Rockets for three years, his first with the team after short periods in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Milwaukee, New Orleans and Detroit.
But now, Wood has said he is almost ready to make his return – something he would be able to do after the All Star break.
“It was difficult. Initially, it was definitely difficult to deal with, ‘Wood said. ‘But when I found out that the news was not as bad as it seemed, I was grateful and grateful that it could have been worse. I am here. I will be back soon.
‘I thought it was broken at the time just because of the high swelling and the way they thought it was broken. But it turns out that was not the case. No structural damage. So, we’re fine. ”
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