A bit of a surprise the Milwaukee Bucks have decided to cut DeMarcus Cousins just before his contract became guaranteed for the remainder of the season, ending a still productive stint at the four-time All-Star center. In the 17 games played with the reigning champions Cousins has traveled to 9 points and almost 6 rebounds on average in just under 17 minutes per race, starting five times as a starter to cope with the continuing absence of Brook Lopez. The Bucks have however decided to give up mainly for wage reasons, and as reported by The Athletic Cousins’ next destination is the Denver Nuggets, with whom he will sign a ten-day contract. In Denver, where Nikola Jokic’s reserve will be, Cousins will reunite with coach Michael Malone, who he already had in Sacramento between 2013 and 2014, always traveling at over 22 points and 11 rebounds on average. He was another Cousins, especially from an athletic point of view, but at just 31 there is still room for give something to a team that desperately needs a point of reference when Jokic goes to sit down, given the gigantic differential on 100 possessions every time he sits (from +8.7 with the Serbian to -12.6 when he is not there). Malone and Cousins have kept in touch all these years, often wondering what would have happened if Kings owner Vivek Ranadive hadn’t fired the coach in December 2014 when Cousins was struggling with viral meningitis. The Nuggets hope the two can recreate at least some of that magic found in California.
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