On February 20th, it was reported that the Houston Rockets plan to part ways with DeMarcus Cousins soon.
The Houston Rockets and center DeMarcus Cousins are planning to part ways in coming days, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Houston wants to go smaller, younger in frontcourt when Christian Wood returns and this allows Cousins to find an opportunity elsewhere.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2021
Should the Heat target DeMarcus Cousins? The lack of a big man has put the majority of the workload on star center, Bam Abedayo. Could this be the signing the Heat need to propel them into a top seed in the Eastern Conference?
Overview
DeMarcus Cousins is currently averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 25 games played with the Rockets. His contract is not ridiculous, as the Rockets signed him to a one year, $2.3 million dollar contract.
Cousins is a proven low-post scorer and can grab rebounds at a high rate. He also has that gritty energy and fight that the Heat tend to target.
Could Cousins be the piece the Heat need to make a playoff push and a finals run?
Why the Should the Heat Target DeMarcus Cousins?
The Heat don’t have a solidified low-post scoring option. Bam lives at the elbow, and can you even consider Kelly Olynyk a post option?
With Bam realistically being the only center the Heat have, Cousins would be a gift to come off the bench and take over that backup position. Plus, Miami wouldn’t have to give anything up for him.
With the most recent starting lineups being:
PG: Kendrick Nunn
SG: Duncan Robinson
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Kelly Olynyk
C: Bam Adebayo
This will move Precious Achiuwa into his more fitting power forward role in the second unit. Although Goran Dragic is out, the bench squad would look something like this:
*DISCLAIMER*
I know these players will likely not all be on the court at the same time, this is just what the next five would look like with Cousins inserted in.
PG: Goran Dragic
SG: Max Strus
SF: Tyler Herro
PF: Precious Achiuwa
C: DeMarcus Cousins
This would provide a much needed post scoring option and talented rebounder alongside Achiuwa coming off the bench.
Concluding Thoughts
The Heat can get a backup center for little to nothing and improve their bench greatly. If the Heat target DeMarcus Cousins, this could drastically improve their chances of making a finals run while still bringing a gritty feel to the game.
With the Heat still well below .500, the push needs to come sooner rather than later. Whether fans are worried or not, this is not the same team we all saw in the finals in 2020. Something needs to change if we want to see this team back in the finals.
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