Latest news with #DeMarcusCousins
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
DeMarcus Cousins explains the Luka Doncic reason why Magic overpaid for Desmond Bane
The post DeMarcus Cousins explains the Luka Doncic reason why Magic overpaid for Desmond Bane appeared first on ClutchPoints. Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins believes the Orlando Magic overpaid to acquire Desmond Bane in their Father's Day blockbuster trade with the Memphis Grizzlies — and cited Luka Doncic's trade value as the main reason why. Advertisement Speaking on the latest episode of FanDuel TV's Run It Back, Cousins compared the assets surrendered for Bane to what the Los Angeles Lakers gave up in order to acquire Doncic midseason. 'You look at a guy like Desmond Bane and then you look at a guy like Luka Doncic. That answers your question right there,' Cousins said. 'Hell no, he's not worth [it]. If Luka's only worth one first-round pick and this guy's worth four… we're talking about an All-NBA, multi-All-Star type player compared to a guy that's just a really, really good player.' Doncic, 26, was traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster February deal that sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic went on to average 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.8 steals across 50 games for the Lakers while shooting 45% from the field and 36.8% from three. DeMarcus Cousins says Magic overpaid for Desmond Bane when compared to Luka Doncic deal Petre Thomas-Imagn Images The Magic, in comparison, sent Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four unprotected first-round picks, and a pick swap to Memphis in exchange for Bane. The 26-year-old guard averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last season on 48.4% shooting from the field and 39.2% from three. Advertisement Despite his view that Orlando overpaid, Cousins praised the move as one that addresses the Magic's roster needs and praised Bane as a fit for their young core. 'So obviously, the picks don't add up when you look at it in that way,' Cousins said. 'But like I said earlier… we're at the stage in the league where teams matter, camaraderie matters, chemistry matters…. he's the perfect fit moving forward with this Magic team.' 'I do still think they need a really good point guard,' he added. 'I do like [Jalen] Suggs, but I still think they need like an elite point guard. But I absolutely love what the Magic did with this move. I think they improved as a team… they improved with a need for that team and Bane was the perfect fit.' Cousins says Bane move pushes Orlando into East's top tier The Magic finished the 2024–25 season with a 41–41 record, securing the seventh seed and making their second consecutive playoff appearance, despite significant injury setbacks. They faced off against the Boston Celtics in the first round and were eliminated in a competitive five-game series. This season followed a 47–35 campaign in 2023–24, when Orlando earned the fifth seed, highlighted by strong defense and the emergence of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Advertisement When asked by co-host Chandler Parsons where the Magic now rank among the East's top teams, Cousins responded with optimism. 'I think they moving to the top four, top five in the East,' Cousins said. 'I think they were a good team last year, but like I said, they had some needs they needed to fill and I think Bane was the perfect fit for that.' 'So yeah, I think they're a very dangerous team in the East now and I think they can challenge some teams. I think they make a big move, a big splash next season and maybe a second-round type team or further.' The Magic's acquisition of Bane not only signals their desire to compete now but also reflects a growing confidence in their core. Whether or not the price was high, the organization appears committed to turning potential into playoff success. Related: Draymond Green's brutally honest reaction to Desmond Bane-Magic trade Related: KCP's 'excited' reaction to being included in Desmond Bane-Magic trade to Grizzlies
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Be happy about the balloons" - DeMarcus Cousins hilariously ruined John Wall's long-awaited NBA return party
"Be happy about the balloons" - DeMarcus Cousins hilariously ruined John Wall's long-awaited NBA return party originally appeared on Basketball Network. Suffering a devastating injury and trying to return from it can be a harrowing time in an NBA player's life. This was especially true for former All-Star guard John Wall, who didn't get to play for two years due to a heel injury and, later, a ruptured Achilles tendon. Advertisement However, the day of his return to the basketball court eventually came in December 2020. Not long after he was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Houston Rockets, the explosive guard was giddy with excitement at the chance to do what he loved most: hoop. But just when John's enthusiasm was at an all-time high, he was suddenly brought back down to earth as he was imposed with a league-mandated seven-day quarantine due to "health and safety protocols," thereby delaying his much-awaited return. DeMarcus Cousins, Wall's former college teammate at Kentucky and later in Houston, revealed that the incident figuratively deflated Wall's excitement. A celebration organized by Wall's loved ones to mark his NBA return was abruptly cut short. A party pooper In an interview on the "Run Your Race" podcast, DeMarcus told host Theo Pinson that he and John lived in the same condominium complex, with the latter residing a floor above him. As the anticipation built for his first game, which came against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wall's team prepared a celebration to commemorate his return. Advertisement "I remember going up to his condo like the day of the game. And at this time, COVID was around. So, you know, it was really, really sensitive. You did this, you know, you couldn't play," Cousins recalled. "So John was super excited about his first game back. They had this whole little setup in the house with balloons and s—t." However, as Wall was getting ready to go to shootaround, he was abruptly told to get off the court and quarantine for seven days. Apparently, a teammate tested positive for the virus, which meant John had to get tested and get cleared to play. Safe to say, he didn't take the news lightly. Related: Dwyane Wade explains why the Heat didn't pull the trigger on Kevin Durant: "This is what the Heat do; they are not turning their chips until they feel like they got a winner" Wall was pissed It wasn't just Wall who was asked to quarantine because of that incident; so were Cousins and fellow Rockets Eric Gordon and Mason Jones. However, with DeMarcus living nearby, he took the chance to rib his good friend about it. Advertisement "So they had this whole little setup. I remember walking into his condo and, you know, John sitting on his couch. He's pissed," Boogie shared, laughing. "So he's just sitting there, he's sad as f—k. Nobody in there. He got all these goddamn balloons and s—t." "And I remember walking in, I'm like, 'Damn dog.' I'm like, 'Man, 11B I know you mad as a MFer, bro. Hey, this s—t cool and s—t.' He like, 'Bro, get the f—k out, man. Like I ain't trying to hear this s—t.' I'm like, 'Why you mad at me, bro?' I said, 'These some nice ass balloons and s—t, though. Like man, hey, hey, be happy about the balloons," DeMarcus continued narrating. Wall eventually got to play for the Rockets, returning with a bang, registering 22 points and nine assists in a 122-119 win over the Sacramento Kings. A few days later, he proved that his performance was no fluke, as he tallied 28 points in yet another win against the Kings. John's time in Houston, though, was short-lived, as he played in only 40 games and was waived by the team in June 2022. Related: Adam Silver plans to use Artificial Intelligence after the NBA's injury surge: "Ingest all video of every game a player's played in to see if we can detect some pattern" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former NBA Star Reveals Next Move After Suspension
Former NBA Star Reveals Next Move After Suspension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins made headlines for the wrong reasons recently. He was involved in a heated altercation with fans in Puerto Rico, leading to a severe punishment. Advertisement Cousins, who last played in the NBA in the 2021-22 season, was suspended for the remainder of the campaign in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional — Puerto Rico's top professional basketball league. This came after he made an obscene gesture and confronted hecklers sitting courtside while playing for the Mets de Guaynabo. Aside from his suspension, his contract was terminated by Mets de Guaynabo, just three months since joining them. He was also fined $4,250 for his actions and could face an additional $5,750. While Cousins has since apologized for what happened, the incident has put a major question mark over his basketball future. After all, his temperament and behavior on and off the court have been major issues throughout his career. The 34-year-old big man has NBA career averages of 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, but he only played 11 seasons in the league. Former Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone instructs center DeMarcus Cousins. © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images Now, while it remains to be seen what Cousins will do next in his basketball career, he revealed on Saturday his next personal move. Amid his issues, Cousins will make an appearance at the World Vape Show 2025 in Dubai. Advertisement According to the Alibarbar vape brand, Cousins will be live in their booth for the event, which will be held from Wednesday to Friday. Cousins himself shared the news on his official Instagram account. DeMarcus Cousins shares a post on Instagram Stories after he was suspended in Puerto Rico's top basketball Cousins/Instagram The event will be DeMarcus Cousins' first public appearance since his incident. Sure enough, it will be interesting to see if he will address his viral moment in Puerto Rico. Cousins has played for seven teams during his NBA career after he was drafted fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in 2010. He was a four-time All-Star and was at one point considered one of the best centers in the league. Related: Former NBA Star's Apology After Suspension is Turning Heads This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Durant tweets Cousins' source, a Suns 'teammate,' is lying about locker room fights
The back-and-forth between Kevin Durant and former NBA player DeMarcus Cousins continues over whether there was fighting in the Phoenix Suns locker room this past season. Durant initially reacted to Cousins' remarks on Fan Duel's Run It Back that there were "fist fights" in the Suns locker room. Advertisement "I have to contest this 94-footer,' Durant posted June 20. "This some bull---- to throw on us. Yea yea yea we were trash this year ha ha ha but we NEVER got close to this. NEVER.' Cousins' comments were largely dismissed according to multiple people familiar with the team when contacted by The Arizona Republic. The Suns declined to comment when contacted by The Republic about what Cousins said. Cousins later responded to Durant with a tweet, saying it was one of Durant's teammates who was his source regarding the fist fights. "The source was one of your teammates killa," Cousins tweeted. "🤷🏿♂️ And I wasn't referring to you! . Save this s--t for the others homie." Advertisement Durant came back with another tweet, saying Cousins' source is lying. "Whoa whoa Boog," the two-time finals MVP tweeted. "I don't want no problems with you or anybody on earth. I promise. All I'm saying is your source is lying." The Suns are looking to trade Durant this offseason. Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@ or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin. Support local journalism: Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Source is lying': Durant responds to claim Suns fought in locker room
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
DeMarcus Cousins Admits Durant Simply Dislikes Minnesota
DeMarcus Cousins Admits Durant Simply Dislikes Minnesota originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kevin Durant is the most discussed topic outside the ongoing NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. He will be traded, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are the most aggressive in their pursuit. Advertisement Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, Durant is not enthused about the possibility of playing for the organization. KD's former teammate, DeMarcus Cousins, feels this might go beyond a basketball issue, as he thinks Durant does not want to live and play in Minneapolis. Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images With Durant about to turn 36 by the time the 2025-26 season starts, he is looking for a big long-term contract extension. It is understandable, given he already has a secure legacy with two championships under his belt. The Timberwolves seem unwilling to offer him the largest contract extension possible, which is understandable because of his age. However, Cousins feels playing in the state of Minnesota is not appealing for Durant. Advertisement Related: Zach Lowe Admits The Kevin Durant Trade To The Timberwolves Is Challenging Minnesota Might Not Appeal To Durant A big reason behind why some players do not want to play for the Timberwolves is the weather. It is well known that the state of Minnesota and its cold weather might not be appealing for Durant. That is different from players like Karl-Anthony Towns, who once said he could wear a jacket. He wanted to get selected number one overall in 2015, and he proudly represented the Timberwolves until the 2024 trade. Cousins makes a good point about Durant because it will be the final contract of his career. Going somewhere he would like to live while playing basketball might be the best-case scenario, as seen by his preferences; Miami or cities in Texas, the state where he went to college, which are the Spurs and Rockets. Advertisement "I don't know why he wouldn't want to play with a guy like Anthony Edwards. For me, I don't think it's a scenario where he's looking at Anthony Edwards and viewing it as a negative," Cousins said on Run It Back. "If you come from a place like Phoenix where it's warm all year... Kevin Durant is at a place in his career where he deserves to go wherever he wants to go. I think it's more so a city-type situation." It Should Be Difficult To Deny Playing With Edwards Almost anyone in the league would want to play for the Timberwolves just because Edwards is there. He is the superstar set to take over the league. Edwards is already arguably the league's best shooting guard, so playing with him should be fun and fruitful. Unfortunately for Minnesota's fans, Durant is not interested in that. He wants to play basketball with a surefire long-term contract in a place he feels comfortable. Advertisement Cousins and others have pointed out that Minnesota is not an appealing state to most players, but the ambitious ones would jump at the chance to play with Edwards and teammates like Jaden McDaniels. That should be a sign for Minnesota to look for other players while Durant and the Suns have not made a decision. Players would love to be on the same roster as Edwards, and that could be Minnesota's leverage in negotiations with other players. Related: Timberwolves Puzzled As Kevin Durant Was Open to Joining Them Back In February This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
