Rockets plan to part ways with Cousins

The Houston Rockets are set to part ways with center DeMarcus Cousins sometime next week, The Athletic reported on Saturday.

The Rockets reportedly plan to use a smaller lineup after emerging star Christian Wood returns from an ankle injury.

Cousins is Houston’s leading rebounder (7.6 per game) and is averaging 9.6 points and 20.2 minutes in 25 games (11 starts).

Cousins, 30, once was an elite big man and averaged more than 20 points per game in five straight seasons while playing for the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans. He was an All-Star in four of those campaigns.

But Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in January 2018 during his one full season with the Pelicans and has never regained his form. He also sustained a torn quadriceps during the 2019 playoffs while toiling for the Golden State Warriors.