Denver Nuggets have ‘strong interest’ in retaining the services of the veteran bigman DeMarcus Cousins, Harrison Wind of DNVR reports. Cousins finished the season in Denver helping the team as the back-up of the back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic.
“DeMarcus, to be playing 10 minutes a game and to be having the productivity that he’s had, and the efficiency that he’s had, is really remarkable,” Michael Malone said on him after Gm 4 of the first round series between Denver and Golden State.
The Nuggets finished the year on a disappointing note as they exited the first-round of the playoffs. In the five-game series, Cousins averaged 10.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in just 11.4 minutes.
He had a blistering shooting line of 65.5/66.7/73.3 in the series. He scored 19 points in 15 minutes during Denver’s last game of the season. Cousins is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he says he’s not sure if he’ll be back.
“I’m happy to be a part of this group. I’m happy with the opportunity that was given to me from Mike [Malone], [president] Tim [Connelly], [general manager Calvin] Booth. To answer that question, I can’t right now. I don’t know what’s future holds,” Cousins said, per Alex Kennedy of BasketballNews.com.
After a season without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets are hoping to return to contention next year. They will certainly need a capable back-up behind their superstar bigman to remain competitive during the non-Jokic minutes.
Cousins could certainly be the answer to that problem.
Comments