DeMarcus Cousins expected to play Monday vs. Bulls [UPDATE]

UPDATE: Feb. 21, 2:35 p.m. — Cousins is expected to stay with the team for now and will play Monday vs. the Chicago Bulls, coach Stephen Silas told reporters Sunday. So for now, Boogie will remain with Houston, though the report below suggests he may be released soon.

The Houston Rockets and veteran center DeMarcus Cousins are planning to part ways in the coming days, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Cousins signed a one-year deal this offseason with the Rockets and just had his contract reportedly guaranteed by the team on Friday. Charania also adds that Houston wants to go with a smaller, younger front court when Christian Wood comes back, while also letting Cousins find another opportunity somewhere else.

Cousins was having a solid bounce back season with the Rockets after missing the previous season due to injury. The 30-year-old center was averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game. He’s been predominately coming off of the bench this season as Wood has been the team’s starting center.

However in Wood’s absence, the former first-round selection has fared well. In 11 games as a starter, Cousins is averaging 13.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. The decision to move on from Cousins is just another puzzling move from the Rockets organization this season.