Clippers sign Cousins for rest of season

The Los Angeles Clippers signed center DeMarcus Cousins for the remainder of the 2020-21 season, the team announced Monday.

Cousins signed his first of two 10-day contracts with the Clippers on April 5. In eight games with the team, the 30-year-old is averaging 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds while playing 11.5 minutes.

His second 10-day contract expired Sunday. NBA rules limit players to two consecutive 10-day deals with one franchise. If the club wants to retain that player afterward, it must sign the individual to a standard contract for at least the rest of the season. Otherwise, the player needs to be released.

Since inking the four-time All-Star, the Clippers have played some of their best basketball this season. Tyronn Lue's squad has won 10 of 11 games with Cousins while keeping pace with the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns at the top of the Western Conference.

Keeping Cousins around all but ensures the Clippers will deploy three capable centers in the postseason. The two-time All-NBA selection will likely provide depth in Los Angeles' frontcourt behind Ivica Zubac and Serge Ibaka, though the latter has been out since mid-March while recovering from lower back tightness.