After two 10-day deals, the Los Angeles Clippers signed DeMarcus Cousins for the rest of the season last month. Ahead of free agency, the veteran big man is a member of an NBA Playoffs team with high expectations.
Cousins has provided the Clippers a reliable big man who can provide them with spark minutes off the bench. Being one of the best centers in the league just a four seasons ago, Cousins certainly still wants to continue playing in the NBA for many more years. Unfortunately, a bad luck of serious injuries have derailed the 4-time All-Star's career and he just doesn't look like his former All-NBA self at this point.
With another impending free agency on the way, Cousins needs to use this postseason run with the Clippers if he wants to secure a contract next season. Of course, it goes without saying that the 30-year old would need to get on the floor and get relevant minutes, unlike in L.A.'s Game 1 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks, where Cousins picked up a healthy DNP.
If head coach Ty Lue does make changes and insert him in the rotation, these are three things DeMarcus Cousins needs to do to boost his value in free agency:
1. Stay healthy and look spry
Of course, the top priority for DeMarcus Cousins if he does get minutes is to stay healthy. Being available should still help the former Kentucky star secure a spot in the NBA as he is too good to be kept on the shelf. Certainly, a championship contender, just like the Clippers, could use an All-Star caliber big man on their team and they could probably nab him for cheap.
He likely won't be able to bag a massive contract, unless he miraculously balls out and returns anywhere close to his All-NBA form throughout this playoff run. Nonetheless, if he manages to go unscathed in the postseason, all while looking spry and completely healthy, he should still draw a ton of interest in the free agency market.
2. Play to his strengths
Cousins plays best when he's in the paint and bullying people inside. The game tends to slow down in the NBA Playoffs, with teams tightening up on defense while playing possession by possession. With that, the Clippers can actually take advantage of Cousins' presence down low and have him go to work on the block at some points of a game. Sure, he isn't going to put up 20-10 every night like he used to, but as he has shown in flashes throughout the 2020-21 season, Cousins is still capable of banging bodies in the paint and utilizing his size and strength to his advantage.
But not only is Cousins a rugged player in the post, he is also capable of knocking shots from beyond the arc. With Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Rajon Rondo taking the primary playmaking duties, DeMarcus Cousins can still provide perimeter shooting to stretch the floor for L.A.. In addition, he is also a capable playmaker himself and the Clips can use his presence on the block to attract double teams, where he can pass out of the post for open looks.
3. Play within his role
As mentioned, Cousins is no longer the 25-12 guy he used to be back when he played with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans. Nevertheless, he is still capable of providing the Clippers with a steady contribution off their bench in the NBA Playoffs.
The Clippers won't need DeMarcus Cousins to be the man for them. At this point of his career, it seems like he has accepted that he won't be the franchise star anymore. This mature attitude should be an attractive factor for teams to consider if they want to sign the 30-year old. In addition, in connection to the previous point, if he plays to his strengths, that should help Boogie become a more effective player in this playoff run and showcase his value to a potential contender.
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