Houston Rockets waive former All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The Houston Rockets officially waived former All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, the team announced Tuesday.

Cousins and the Rockets mutually agreed to part ways, according to ESPN. The big man, whose league-minimum salary of $2.3 million was guaranteed by the team last week, will now explore interest from other teams around the league.

The four-time All-Star selection was attempting to revitalize his career after a string of serious injuries in recent years. ESPN reported that Cousins, however, was unhappy with his backup role behind Christian Wood and wanted more playing time.

Rockets head coach Stephen Silas didn't consider putting Wood and Cousins on the court together, as he wants to use Wood only as a center.

The Rockets have dropped their last eight games after Wood, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, suffered a sprained right ankle. Cousins averaged 12.1 points and nine rebounds during that stretch before sitting out Monday's loss to the Chicago Bulls because of a heel injury.

The 30-year-old Cousins, who signed a one-year contract with Houston in December, averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 37.6% from the floor over 25 games with the Rockets this season.

Cousins, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, has averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds in 590 career games with the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors and Rockets.