One-time Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins is apparently done pursuing an NBA comeback. The former four-time All-Star, still just 34, has been playing abroad since 2022, but had been looking for opportunities in the league since splitting his 2021-22 season as a back-up center behind Robin Lopez with the Milwaukee Bucks and Nikola Jokic with the Denver Nuggets.

During an appearance on former All-Star point guard Jeff Teague’s “Club 520” podcast, Cousins discussed his thinking.“I’m not going to go out trying to convince these guys anymore,” Cousins said. “You know what I bring to the floor. It’s been proven. If you really wanted to know who I am, you’d take the time to get to know me instead of listening to somebody else. I’m past trying to reach out. If an opportunity comes that makes sense, I’ll consider it, but I’m done with the convincing.”

Cousins appeared to be on a potential, yes, Hall of Fame trajectory before his body began to break down. The 6-foot-10 Kentucky product was a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Second Teamer while playing for the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans.

He tore his left Achilles during a 115-113 victory over the Houston Rockets on January 26, 2018. Almost to hammer home just how good Cousins was then, he had notched a triple-double in that game: 15 points, 13 rebounds and 11 dimes. He was never the same following his season-ending surgery.

In fairness, this is not a complete rejection of ever playing for an NBA team again. This is a rejection of making overtures to teams himself. Theoretically, it appears Cousins would still be amenable to playing in the league should someone reach out.