As the Nuggets prepare to watch the NBA Finals from the comfort of their homes, there is undoubtedly some regret within the front office over the persistent issue of lacking a reliable backup big man. This problem has plagued them for years: whenever Nikola Jokic takes a breather, the team struggles to maintain its competitive edge.
Given the significant investment in Jokic and the strategy of playing him extensive minutes at center, it may not be practical to allocate substantial funds for a backup center. Nonetheless, addressing this need is crucial, as the team cannot afford to lose ground whenever Jokic rests. DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji failed to meet expectations this season, and neither managed to earn Coach Michael Malone’s trust enough to play in the playoffs.
Interestingly, one former Jokic backup is excelling outside the NBA. DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins recently led the Taiwan Beer Leopards to a T1 League championship in Taiwan, earning Finals MVP honors with an impressive performance of 24 points and 24 rebounds in the decisive game.
At 33, Cousins remains a formidable player. He averaged over 14 points per game for nine consecutive seasons in the NBA, made four All-Star appearances, and posted averages of 25.2 points and 12.9 rebounds during the 2017-18 season with the Pelicans. However, after missing the entire 2019-20 season due to a torn ACL, he never quite returned to his previous form. Cousins last played in the NBA with the Nuggets at the end of the 2021-22 season, averaging 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game over 31 games, mostly as Jokic’s backup.
Could Cousins make a return to the Nuggets in the 2024-25 season? His recent success in Taiwan might reignite NBA interest in him, and the Nuggets could do worse than bringing him back as a backup center. It is conceivable that this version of Cousins could offer better production than Jordan on a veteran minimum contract.
While a return to the NBA for Cousins remains uncertain, his achievements in Taiwan are commendable. It is heartening to see the veteran big man making a significant impact and putting up impressive numbers, regardless of the league.
