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The last three years couldn’t have gone much worse for DeMarcus Cousins. A former superstar, Cousins has been rehabbing injuries that seemingly follow the last one. It isn’t just your typical run of the mill sprained ankle.
Cousins originally tore his Achilles after having one of the best seasons of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans. He then signed with the Warriors in a quest to get an NBA Championship.
That was dismantled as Cousins tore his quad in the playoffs after rehabbing that Achilles injury. He rehabbed that and was back on the court preparing to play for the Lakers, a team that would go on to win the 2020 championship.
Before the season, he tore his ACL. Cousins is finally back, and while who knows how long, he’ll be running with the James Harden-led Rockets according to The Athletic and Stadium reporter Shams Charania.
Free agent DeMarcus Cousins and the Houston Rockets are nearing a deal, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 23, 2020
The last time Cousins took the floor was with the Warriors. He played and started 30 games, scoring 16.3 points per game. He also averaged 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
Cousins was at times a liability for the Warriors defensively as he couldn’t move quickly and was slow off his feet (which was to be expected).
That said, Cousins wasn’t the only former Wildcat to make news on Monday. Forward Wenyen Gabriel signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Gabriel last played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Pelicans have signed forward Wenyen Gabriel and guard Sindarius Thornwell, source tells ESPN.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) November 23, 2020
Both on vet minimum deals.
Gabriel on a two-year deal with a team option on second year. Thornwell sticks around after spending bubble with Pels.
The 23-year-old Gabriel averaged 2.1 points per game in 30 games split between the Sacramento Kings and Trail Blazers. Last season was the former Wildcats rookie season after being a G-League star for two years.