Cousins set to practice in G League

MILWAUKEE — Ahead of his Golden State debut, center DeMarcus Cousins will practice with the team’s G League affiliate in Santa Cruz as he enters the final stages of his rehab from a torn left Achilles tendon.

“It’s a very difficult injury to come back from for anybody, but especially a big guy,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Friday. “He’s working hard, and he’ll probably go down to Santa Cruz in the next couple weeks, practice with our G League team and get more live action.

“We don’t practice much, like every other NBA team, because we have so many games. He needs more intense, focused practice time. Hopefully, he can get some of that in Santa Cruz.”

The Warriors have yet to pinpoint when Cousins will report to Santa Cruz, but Kerr said it’s possible Cousins could join the G League affiliate next week. Santa Cruz kicks off a three-game homestand Saturday.

Asked whether Cousins will play any games with Santa Cruz, Kerr said, “It’s a possibility. We haven’t made any decisions yet. We’ve got to help him be in the best possible shape and mind-set when he first takes the floor for us. So, whatever it takes.”

Cousins has been fully participating in Warriors practices for a couple of weeks. In 5-on-5 scrimmages, he has impressed teammates with his conditioning, ball-handling and shooting.

“You can see he’s a little bit more excited because he’s closer and closer,” forward Kevin

Durant said. “It’s much more than just what he says on the court. His whole demeanor, you can tell he’s doing something he loves. You get basketball taken away for so long, you’re going to have your good and bad days. But he’s been great for us.” No addition: Golden State has no plans to bolster its frontcourt by signing a center.

In addition to Cousins, Damian Jones (pectoral injury) and Draymond Green (toe injury) are sidelined.

“We’re not going to do that,” Kerr said. “We’re not adding anyone right now. We need to be fully healthy before we can really assess anything.”