Why Can't DeMarcus Cousins Get Back To The NBA?

There was a time when DeMarcus Cousins was considered as a possible PBA import. There were rumors that there is a high possibility that he will suit up with Converge. However, the report fizzled out probably because of how Cousins behaved during his time in the NBA.

Cousins was only 31 years old when he last played his NBA game. Sure, he suffered an ACL injury that caused him to miss the entire 2019-20 season and also tore his Achilles in January 2018. But even after he had gotten himself back to 100 percent health, he never got a chance to play in the NBA again and was not called by any teams from the PBA.

There were many theories about why Cousins did not get another call at all, including injury issues and behavior problems. But during the recent episode of the "3s and Ones" podcast, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman said that Cousins got the raw deal from the league because of George Karl.

"There were two times in the locker room, he tried to beat up George Karl. And that's why he's not given a chance 'cause that coaches' circle, it is no joke. And I thought that George was one of the most racist… I sat in the meetings. It was unbelievable. Ask Carmelo," said Lieberman.

Nancy Lieberman says George Karl was racist, and Cousins tried to beat him up twice in the locker room.

One might ask what Lieberman knows about Boogie's relationship with Coach Karl. She joined the Kings in 2015 as one of Karl's assistants, staying until 2017, and was there for Karl's final season in Sacramento in 2015–16, witnessing firsthand the daily tension between the head coach and the team's star player for an entire year.

Boogie averaged 26.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game and made the All-Star and All-NBA second teams that season. However, the Kings were an underwhelming 33-49 and missed the playoffs for the 10th straight campaign. After he was nearly fired in November 2015 because of his public spat with Cousins, Karl was relieved of his position after that season.

Cousins was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017, but after suffering an Achilles injury in 2018, his career turned upside down. After not getting an offer from any team, he agreed to join the Golden State Warriors on a midlevel extension. Then he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and tore his ACL before he could play one game. Next came the Houston Rockets, the Clippers and finally the Denver Nuggets.

There were plenty of rumors about Cousins making an NBA return, but in the end, that's all they turned out to be — just speculations. In 2023, a bewildered Boogie told Sirius XM NBA Radio that he was confused why he could not make a spot on the roster of any of the league's 30 teams when he was arguably still better than many big men at that time.

"That's honestly my biggest issue... You never really get an honest answer…" Cousins said. "I look at myself first and what I can do to better myself. I've asked many questions; I've reached out to former teams... I can never really get the raw, honest truth. I would love to get a real answer."

Unofficially, Cousins got his answer from Lieberman. And as she said, if you don't believe her story, ask another former NBA superstar with whom he had a beef — Melo.