How DeMarcus Cousins can revitalize his career with the Milwaukee Bucks

When the Milwaukee Bucks inked DeMarcus Cousins to a deal earlier this week, most of the fanbase was pleased. There are not too many free agents available on the market that would make a better 15th man than Cousins would on paper. While fans were glad that the team had finally used their final roster spot – particularly on a household name like Cousins – others were immediately worried about what this meant for typical starting center Brook Lopez.

Aside from Milwaukee’s season-opener against the Brooklyn Nets, Lopez has missed every game this season with back soreness. After going weeks without a genuine update, it was announced by The Athletic’s Shams Charania that Lopez underwent successful back surgery on Thursday and he will be out indefinitely for the defending champs. Knowing what we know now about the injury to Lopez, the Cousins signing makes much more sense, as the Bucks would need another big body to play the position in his absence.

This injury to Lopez is obviously a devastating blow for the Bucks, given just how important he is to this team on both ends of the floor. While no one is expecting Cousins to fill the massive shoes of Lopez, the 31-year-old will certainly see a significant role moving forward. The circumstances are undeniably unfortunate, but this could be an opportunity for Cousins to get his career back on the right track as he will get another shot in the NBA.

DeMarcus Cousins will look to rejuvenate his career with the Milwaukee Bucks

Cousins admitted in an interview with reporter Zora Stephenson that teams were not lining up outside of his house to try and sign him before Milwaukee did. Aside from a recent workout for the Denver Nuggets, Cousins was simply at home working out and waiting to get that phone call from a team looking to bring him aboard. Injuries have been an unfortunate storyline throughout the big man’s career, as the four-time All-Star has constantly been sidelined over the past four years to the point where the league had seemingly given up on him.

Signing Cousins to a non-guaranteed deal, this is the definition of a “prove it” move for the Bucks. If things go well, the Bucks can keep him on for the remainder of the season. If not, they can sever ties with him by a certain date and face little difficulty financially. This is low-risk, high-reward for the Bucks, and the move has the utmost potential to succeed. Although it is still early, this looks to be a perfect match for both parties.

For Cousins, he just landed with the defending NBA champions who are lacking able bodies at the center position. He will play a key role for them off the bench this season without Lopez available and has a chance to prove himself. He looked motivated to do so in his first game with the Bucks as he was full of energy, scoring, rebounding, and facilitating in his 14-and-a-half minutes of time. It was just one game, but it provides optimism that Cousins can get himself back on track and help the Bucks in their quest to go back to back as champions.

He might not be able to return to his prior All-Star form, but Cousins can prove with the Bucks that he is still a capable NBA player. Who knows, perhaps Cousins could have a future in Milwaukee for the long haul if all goes well.

Time will tell, but Cousins will undoubtedly be a vital piece for the Bucks following the injury news to Lopez.