ESPN’s Adrian Wojarnowski divulged on Tuesday that there is no market for free agentcenter DeMarcus Cousins. Should the Miami Heat attempt a reclamation?
Everybody loves a comeback story, but in the NBA, there are high stakes attached to being the team that attempts such a thing. The Miami Heat have a noted history of reclamation projects, whether it be a reinvention of work ethic and habits, diet, or other personal improvements that come from being exposed to Heat culture, but there may be another such project lurking in the still unclaimed depths of free agency in the form of DeMarcus Cousins.
On Tuesday ESPN’s Adrian Wojarnowski revealed that there is no market for Cousins currently, to the point where even a portion of the mid-level exception may be off the table. Certainly, after tearing his Achilles in January of 2018 and then tearing his quad in the first round of this season’s playoffs, teams are wary of his health and injury concerns, but it’s jarring to learn that there has been minimal interest at best across the league in a four-time All Star like DeMarcus Cousins.
The Heat have recently moved Hassan Whiteside, trading him to the Portland Trail Blazers, meaning that depth at center might be something they put some thought into as the offseason progresses. They received Meyers Leonard in that deal, but Leonard has the ability to play either center or power forward, meaning he and a player like Cousins could potentially play some bench minutes together.
As the Heat are currently over the hard cap, they only have minimum contracts to offer, but it sounds like that might be all that is in store for Cousins anyway as demand for his services remains low.
The days of DeMarcus Cousins playing heavy minutes and being the number one guy on his team are likely behind him, which means an opportunity like what the Miami Heat could afford him might be surprisingly optimal. He won’t be needed to start, as Bam Adebayo has that spot locked up, and even in case of emergency or injury, Leonard can start with Cousins relieving him off the bench.
There’s no way it would be a perfect marriage between Cousins and the Heat, but a player like this who can be had for cheap, with the apparent rejuvenating powers of South Beach in play, might just be worth taking a flier on.
Cousins will be motivated, especially after having the entire league essentially pass on him. While it’s best to typically disregard the narrative of extreme motivation powering an athlete through an entire season, DeMarcus Cousins might just be the kind of player who makes you reconsider that stance.
He has never been much of a defender, and with his past injuries that will almost certainly never change. However, his offensive efficiency didn’t drop much last season in his 30 games after returning from the Achilles. In fact, he had his third-highest true shooting percentage of any season in his career, checking in at 56.2 percent with reasonably high usage at 28.1 percent.
If the Heat are able to surround him with decent defenders, DeMarcus Cousins might be a true fire starter offensively for their reserve unit.
Considering that his health is an unknown quantity, the Heat would likely want to build in guarantee protection to any contract they offer, perhaps guaranteeing half of a one-year minimum deal until mid-January, at which point if things are going well the remainder could be guaranteed and he could play out the season under contract.
Cousins has had a spotty history with teammates in the past, which could have been a concern until the Heat acquired Jimmy Butler. If there is a player who can maintain control of his locker room, Butler is that guy. Under these circumstances, with a true alpha leader on board, and if the Miami Heat have the ability to cut ties on a whim for virtually nothing if they so choose, DeMarcus Cousins is worth a shot.