It has been six days since word broke that the Nuggets intended to sign DeMarcus Cousins to a 10-day contract. Denver has yet to officially proceed with that deal, but according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post (Twitter link), the Nuggets still have “significant interest” in adding the veteran center. Head coach Michael Malone discussed the possibility during a radio appearance Friday without making a commitment one way or the other.
“If (Cousins) becomes a member of this Nugget team at some point, obviously you’d be adding a terrific player,” Malone said (Twitter link via Harrison Wind of DVNR Sports). “I think his short stint in Milwaukee is proof of that. He went to the defending world champions and played lights out.”
For the moment, the Nuggets might not have a clear path toward adding Cousins. They don’t have any players in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, so they’re ineligible to sign a player to a 10-day contract using a COVID-related hardship exception. They also don’t have an opening on their 15-man roster.
Denver does qualify for an injury-related hardship exception, since Jamal Murray, Michael Porter, PJ Dozier and Vlatko Cancar are all sidelined with long-term injuries. But James Ennis is already under contract on a 10-day hardship deal, so the Nuggets likely aren’t eligible to add another player until Ennis’ pact expires next Wednesday night.
As we keep an eye on the Nuggets’ roster situation and monitor their plans for Cousins, here are a few more notes out of Denver:
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