Steve Kerr on DeMarcus Cousins’ return: “We’re not really that close.” Has been the Warriors’ message since this started. They’re staying patient with each step of progress pic.twitter.com/qeFFxGnwPf
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) December 18, 2018
All the the recent reports surrounding DeMarcus Cousins have pointed to him returning sooner rather than later from his torn Achilles sustained last season. First there was the report that Cousins planned on a return during the Warriors’ road trip in early December, before having his return date pushed back. Then Cousins was sent down to the G-League last week to get extra work in, with head coach Steve Kerr even saying that Cousins might play a few tune-up games in Santa Cruz before making his debut.
Kerr was singing a different tune before Monday’s game vs. the Grizzlies, however, saying Cousins isn’t all that close to returning.
“As far as DeMarcus is concerned, we have thought about how we would use him,” Kerr began. “Some of the actions that we run we would probably run more often with him than we run right now. I’ve thought about combinations, who we would play him with, that sort of thing.
“But we’re also not really that close, so I don’t want this to be about, ‘hey we’re right there.’ We’re not right there. It’s still going to be some time. So we’re going to be patient and continue to give DeMarcus the space he needs to prepare. When the time is right we’ll have some things planned for him.”
Cousins is coming off an All-Star season with New Orleans, the fourth of his eight-year career. Cousins, 27, averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game before getting injured last season.