5 centers free agent options: DeMarcus Cousins
Before the ascension of Embiid and Nicola Jokic as elite centers, that title was held by DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins was proving to be an elite center with his defense, rebounding, three level scoring, and playmaking.
However, multiple injuries have ruined Cousins’ chances of returning to that elite status. Yet, the 6-foot-10 center still a good option as a backup center for the Philadelphia 76ers, as Matty Breisch of Section 215 wrote on.
The injuries really hurt Cousins’ defense, but he is still not bad on that end and he can still rebound as well. Offensively he’s still a three level score and playmaker, but he just lacks the athleticism that the 30-year-old had pre-injuries. Last season with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, he averaged 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists., while shooting 34.8 percent from the 3-point line.
He’s not the All-Star level player he once was, but he’s still a high level backup and with another offseason to get healthier, he may even get closer to what he once was. Adding him to a veteran’s minimum salary would be ideal, but if it cost the mid-level exception then the Sixers should do it.