#DeMarcus Cousins turns down teams ahead of NBA restart

Though multiple teams are reportedly interested in signing the free =-agent, four-time All-Star before the NBA season resumes in Orlando on July 31, Cousins — who hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in August — will continue to rehab the injury and not return to action until the 2020-21 season begins, according to The Athletic. The decision gives the big man at least an extra four months to recover from his latest setback.

Cousins, 29, was waived by the Lakers on Feb. 23, having never played a game for the team, which signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million deal last summer.

It was less than three years ago that Cousins was set to sign a max deal, averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals for the Pelicans. Then, he tore his left Achilles and had to settle for a one year, $5.3 million deal with the two-time defending champion Warriors, allowing him to build his value back up and likely earn a ring.

After being sidelined for a year, Cousins played in 30 games with the Warriors, averaging 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals in 25.7 minutes. However, he missed most of the playoff run after tearing his left quadriceps, returning in a limited role in the NBA Finals loss to the Raptors.

Beginning Tuesday, teams have a one-week window to sign free agents.