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The Brooklyn Nets are in quite a conundrum. Aside from the fact that their two superstars, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, aren't expected to suit up for the remainder of the season, they were also hit with some unfortunate news after two key players, Spencer Dinwiddie and DeAndre Jordan, recently tested positive for the coronavirus.
Needless to say, both Dinwiddie and Jordan won't be taking part in the Florida bubble. As such, the Nets front office are currently scrambling to find warm bodies that can fill up their recently-vacated roster spots.
Today we will be focusing on Brooklyn's need for a legitimate big man. Jordan payed a huge role for the squad coming off the bench, and the Nets will need to look for a player who can step in and take on his 22 minutes per contest.
Given this dilemma, Brooklyn should go all in on DeMarcus Cousins.
To be clear, Cousins has already earlier indicated that he intends to sit out the remainder of the season to continue his rehab on his ACL injury. He reportedly intends to be ready for the start of the 2020-21 campaign, and at this point, a comeback for the former All-Star big man in Florida seems unlikely.
Then again, we've seen stranger things happen — especially over the past few months. If the Nets see the slightest indication of Cousins considering a potential return, then they should do everything in their power to bring him to Brooklyn.
Cousins, who signed with the Los Angeles Lakers last summer, suffered an unfortunate ACL injury prior to the start of the season. LA eventually waived him, which placed him on the free agency market.
Rumor has it that Cousins is now fit enough to make a return, but that he and his camp are just erring at the side of caution — and rightfully so. At 29, the two-time All-NBA team member is no spring chicken, and his history of injuries over the past couple of years significantly increases the risk of injury if he rushes himself back into action.
However, in the odd chance the Cousins makes himself available, the Nets should pounce. The big man has been linked to several other teams already, so Brooklyn will have some competition in signing the big man if and when he becomes available.
The last we saw Cousins in the NBA was during the 2018-19 season with the Golden State Warriors. He played just 30 games with the Dubs in an injury-ridden campaign. Nonetheless, when he was on the floor, Cousins was productive. He averaged 16.3 points (on 48.0 percent shooting), 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 25.7 minutes per contest.
Let's not forget that Cousins is just a couple years removed from being one of the best big men in the entire league. His six straight appearances in the All-Star squad is testament to this fact.
There's no denying that when healthy, Cousins will still be able to bring a lot to the table. He is a far cry from his former self, but he should still be able to provide some quality minutes for the Nets. It also won't be a complete shock if Cousins somehow finds his form again, and turns out to be an absolute steal for Brooklyn.
With a little bit of luck (or maybe a lot?), who knows, maybe a Durant-Irving-Cousins Big 3 next season might just be forthcoming.
