DeMarcus Cousins denies being unhappy as backup in Houston

“This a got damn lie,” Cousins wrote underneath a post suggesting that he was unhappy as the backup to Christian Wood in Houston.

With veteran big man DeMarcus Cousins set to be released by the Houston Rockets, numerous theories have been tossed out to explain the rapid divorce between player and team. Early Tuesday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the four-time NBA All-Star “was not happy with his role as a backup center” and wanted more playing time.

Cousins, however, quickly took to Instagram to dispute that assessment. “This a got damn lie,” he wrote underneath a post suggesting that he was unhappy as the backup to Christian Wood.

Since Wood’s right ankle sprain on Feb. 4, Cousins has started for the Rockets while averaging nearly 26 minutes per game.

According to media reports, the Rockets are interested in more defensive mobility and an ability to play at a faster pace on offense than what Cousins can realistically provide at this stage of his career. Houston (11-18) has also lost eight straight games and is clearly not a title contender in the 2020-21 season, so the Rockets may want to evaluate younger options who could have more value than Cousins in future seasons.

Before releasing Cousins, the Rockets opted to fully guarantee his contract for the 2020-21 season, largely based on his professionalism. It’s for that same reason that they’re letting him choose his next team.

“We wanted to make it right,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said following Tuesday’s practice. “He came here on a non-guaranteed contract. Did what he was supposed to do. We rewarded him. We guaranteed his contract because he did those things, and we want what’s best for him, the ability to choose where he goes next.”

Cousins missed most of the last two seasons with a series of severe leg injuries, which is why he was forced to settle for a non-guaranteed contract in the 2020 offseason. Shortly after signing with the Rockets, Cousins said he was “totally fine” with a bench role, with the team focused on gradually ramping up his physical activity after those injuries.

Now 30 years old, Cousins’ athleticism clearly isn’t what it was in his earlier All-Star years. However, he has shown durability in 2020-21, playing in 25 of Houston’s first 28 games while averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game. The 6-foot-10 big man also became a valued leader in Houston’s locker room.

Per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer and Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are among his suitors.

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