NBA Rumors: Nuggets Signing DeMarcus Cousins For The Rest Of The Season

31-year-old center DeMarcus Cousins recently completed his third 10-day contract with the Denver Nuggets, making the 4x All-Star an unrestricted free agent. Cousins played well in a limited role, averaging 6.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 13.1 minutes per game, and the Nuggets won all eight games that he played in. If the Denver Nuggets would like to keep Cousins as their backup to reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic, they now need to sign the former Kentucky Wildcat for the duration of the season, which they apparently intend on doing according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Sources: The Denver Nuggets are planning to sign center DeMarcus Cousins to a rest-of-season contract in the coming days. Cousins’ final 10-day expired over the weekend. He’s averaged 6.1 points and 6.3 rebounds with Denver, where he’s reunited with Michael Malone.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 22, 2022

As Shams pointed out, Cousins has been reunited with Michael Malone, who previously coached Cousins when he was the franchise player for the Sacramento Kings. Malone was fired during the 2014-2015 season in one of the most baffling moves by an organization that is infamous for those - and hasn't made the playoffs in 15 years as a result. Cousins has clashed with coaches, teammates, and media members in the past, but the 6'10" big man and the Nuggets' head coach seem to have mutual respect for each other.

The Nuggets could also be getting a big boost from the potential returns of both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., making the Denver Nuggets much more dangerous than their 33-25 record would suggest entering the playoffs. The Nuggets have been missing both starters for the majority of the season, yet they have managed to hold on to a playoff spot thanks in part to the contributions of DeMarcus Cousins and other bench players who have stepped up to fill bigger roles in their absence.