The Houston Rockets are releasing center DeMarcus Cousins Tuesday after a mutual decision was made between the team and the big man to part ways, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Cousins, whose minimum salary of $ 2.3 million as a veteran was guaranteed by the Rockets last week as a token of gratitude, will explore the interest of other teams.
Cousins, 30, a four-time All-Star who tried to revive his career after a string of serious injuries, averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting just 37.6% off the floor in 25 games with the Rockets.
Sources said Cousins was not happy with his role as a backup center behind Christian Wood as he wanted more playtime. Rockets coach Stephen Silas did not consider playing Wood and Cousins together as he only wants to use Wood as a center.
The Rockets have lost their last eight games after Wood, Houston’s top scorer and rebounder, went down with a sprained right ankle. Cousins, whose defensive limitations were an issue, averaged 12.1 points and 9.0 rebounds on the trajectory before sending out Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls due to a heel injury.
Cousins has bounced in the league for the past few seasons after rupturing his Achilles tendon during the 2017-18 season with the New Orleans Pelicans. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors, but tore his quadriceps muscle in the 2018/19 season. Cousins joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2019-2020 campaign, but tore his ACL before ever joining the team.
He has averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds for his career since being drafted by the Sacramento Kings with fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft.
The Athletic first reported news of Cousins’ imminent release.