The Rockets could have continued to try to make the fit with DeMarcus Cousins work. They did not believe it would. He did not seem to feel as if it would. But with starting center Christian Wood still out and a losing streak at eight games, they could have tried to muddle through.
Instead, the experiment ended Tuesday. The Rockets waived Cousins less than a week after guaranteeing his one-year contract, allowing him to become a free agent, assuming he clears waivers, and seek a better fit.
In a season in which the Rockets have been unrelentingly shorthanded, they have intentionally dropped a player who had been their starting center since Wood sprained his ankle.
They will instead start P.J. Tucker at center in a return to a version of last season’s small-ball lineup and bring 6-11 Justin Patton, who signed a two-way contract last week, off the bench. In moving on from a traditional center trying to make their style work, the Rockets gained some certitude.
“It’s definitely good for it to not be in limbo anymore,” coach Stephen Silas said. “I don’t know if it was a distraction or not. I don’t really think so when it comes down to the ball goes up and you start playing.
“I think it’s a positive thing it is resolved, not just for the group but for him. I mean, we really want what’s best for him in this situation as well. For him to have some clarity and some freedom to get to a situation where he can succeed is very, very important.”
The Rockets made Tuesday’s move, as with the decision to guarantee his contract, in large part as recognition of Cousins’ efforts to make things work. Cousins was often productive. He averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in just 20.2 minutes per game. But he made just 37.6 percent of his shots and struggled defensively, even with the Rockets not using the defensive coverages they prefer with Wood or the small lineups not suited to Cousins.
“It’s tough,” guard John Wall said. “That’s someone I call my brother. To have the opportunity to play together again is what we always wanted in the NBA. It didn’t go or last as long as we thought it would or wish it could.
“With his time here, I think he did a hell of a job. I think he showed he can play in this league coming off an injury. Hopefully, he can get another job somewhere very soon and get a chance to keep proving himself and get back to what he wants to be in this league.”
The Rockets waived Cousins with no immediate corresponding move planned, even at the start of 10-day contracts. They could call up forward K.J. Martin and possibly guard Kevin Porter Jr. from their G League affiliate by the end of the week.
“We wanted to make it right,” Silas said. “Cuz came here on a non-guaranteed contract and did what he was supposed to do. We rewarded him. We guaranteed his contract because he did those things. We want what’s best for him. What’s best for him is probably the ability to choose where he goes next.”
The Rockets are not alone with that sort of move and won’t be even among the two teams on the floor in Cleveland on Wednesday. The Cavaliers have similarly opted not to play center Andre Drummond, though on the final season of his contract worth $28.7 million, Cleveland will look to trade him, much as the Pistons are seeking to move Blake Griffin.
In each case, the way the NBA has changed, moving away from low-post play, has made fit increasingly important — and difficult.
“I think it benefits both,” Silas said. “For some guys, it’s a hard position to be in because teams are going small. It’s just hard to have those guys on the floor at times. That creates frustration on their part. I totally get the frustration that comes along with being in their position, especially when they have played at the level they have played at.
“There is a part of me that is frustrated. Because you just want to help, and it doesn’t present itself because of matchups and lineups and small ball and pick-and-roll and the ability of these (opponents) to come off and shoot or attack.”
In 2016-17, the top-scoring season of Cousins’ career, he averaged six post-ups per game, more than 19 teams this season. This season, he averaged one post-up and 2.6 pick-and-rolls.
“A few years ago, it was like the roller was the most important thing,” Silas said. “You’d have to figure out what are we doing with Dwight Howard as he rolls to the rim. Or what are we doing with Pau Gasol as he rolls to the rim? Now, it’s like Dame Lillard and Steph Curry and Luka (Doncic), all these guys who have the ball in their hands. It’s a very different game.
“I’m hoping that is something (Cousins) is comfortable with and beneficial for him — and for Andre Drummond for that matter.”
If nothing else, the Rockets hope to benefit from removing the uncertainty, having concluded the fit was never entirely going to work.
jonathan.feigen@chron.com
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