The Washington Wizards interim president of basketball operations/ general manager Tommy Sheppard talked briefly with free agent DeMarcus Cousins in Las Vegas, according to Candace Buckner of the Washington Post.
Cousins spent the past season with the Golden State Warriors but struggled as he returned from a torn Achilles. Additionally, he suffered a quad injury during this year’s postseason, that added to his struggles.
Now, reportedly there is no market for his talents. Last season he played on a mid-level exception at $5.3 million, but it appears he may not be able to get a better situation moving forward.
Cousins averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 30 games last season. However, his production dropped mightily in the postseason in large due his quad injury that limited him to eight games despite the Warriors reaching the NBA Finals. In the postseason he averaged 7.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
Another one-year deal is most likely, as it appears general managers are still wary of committing a top contract to Cousins.
The Wizards appear set at center after re-signing Thomas Bryant while having Dwight Howard and Ian Mahinmi on the roster. However, Cousins provides a skill set that currently Washington has.
While the Wizards are limited in cap space, being just shy of the league’s luxury tax, they reportedly applied for a disabled player exception in reference of John Wall, who may miss all of next season with a torn Achilles.
If Washington is indeed interested in Cousins, they could apply the $9.258 million DPE that won’t count against their luxury tax figure, if granted.
Sheppard talking to DeMarcus Cousins may mean nothing formally, but as his market continues to dry and he remains available, it’s worth watching for the Wizards.
