Should Celtics consider DeMarcus Cousins amid rumored Rockets exit?

Celtics

Should Celtics consider DeMarcus Cousins amid rumored Rockets exit?

Another big man is rumored to be available as the NBA’s trade deadline draws nearer.

First, it was reported that the Cavaliers were gauging trade interest in Andre Drummond. The team’s top center is sitting out until the team can figure out what to do with him. The Pistons are doing the same with their veteran forward Blake Griffin.

And now, another big is reportedly available. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets and DeMarcus Cousins are “planning to part ways in coming days”.

Cousins, 30, is averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game this season, but Christian Wood’s return to the lineup would’ve pushed him into a backup role. And with the Rockets wanting to go smaller, as Charania is reporting, a split makes sense.

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So, should the Celtics be interested in acquiring Cousins? On the surface, he could be a sensible target. Danny Ainge has spoken of his desire to acquire both size and shooting in any potential Celtics acquisition. Cousins would provide that. He is 6-foot-10 and has made 33.6 percent of his 3-point shots this season, a solid percentage for a center.

Cousins also has the benefit of being cheap from a contractual standpoint. The Rockets just guaranteed Cousins’ $2.65 million veteran-minimum contract for the rest of the season. Comparatively, Griffin is making a whopping $36.6 million and Drummond is making $28.8 million this season. And neither of them shoots as well as Cousins.

The Celtics wouldn’t even have to dip into their $28.5 traded player exception (TPE) to acquire Cousins for that money. They could use the Enes Kanter trade exception or ship out one of their many depth players to open up a roster spot and make the money work easily.

However, Cousins wouldn’t come without some concerns. While Cousins is shooting slightly above his career average from behind the arc this season, his overall shooting percentage checks in at a career-low 37.6 percent.

DeMarcus Declining?

Cousins’ FG% (Pre-2020-21)

46.1

Cousins’ FG% (2020-21)

37.6

That explains why his production has dipped even more than expected. Some regression was anticipated as he was logging career-lows in minutes played (20.2) and usage rate (23.1) behind Wood, but his shooting could stand to improve.

The other piece for the C’s is that they already have a relatively crowded center room. The team has been starting two bigs in Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis while Robert Williams has also gotten plenty of minutes at center. The trio recently came alive against the Atlanta Hawks and had their best collective game of the season.

Cousins could certainly fit into that rotation and would qualify as the best offensive player of that bunch. But how many minutes would realistically be there for him? If he doesn’t have enough guaranteed minutes, he may prefer to go elsewhere — assuming he has some say in the matter. And acquiring Cousins still wouldn’t fix the problems the Celtics have in terms of wing depth.

Still, Cousins would provide the team with veteran depth and some extra offense off the bench. Considering how cheap he may be, the C’s may well consider him, as adding Cousins wouldn’t preclude them from adding the likes of Harrison Barnes, JJ Redick, Jerami Grant, or PJ Tucker, among others, somewhere down the line.

Forsberg’s latest TPE wishlist for the C’s

That would have to be the plan for the Celtics. Even if they acquire Cousins, they’ll have to continue to look for other options on the trade and buyout markets.

Adding him alone probably wouldn’t be enough to get this team over the hump.