DeMarcus Cousins Net Worth and Salary

DeMarcus Cousins is an American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $37 million. Best known for his dominant years with the Sacramento Kings, Cousins became one of the NBA’s most productive centers during the 2010s. A four-time NBA All-Star, he combined physical strength, scoring ability, rebounding and passing to become one of the league’s most difficult big men to defend.

Cousins was selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2010 NBA Draft after one season at the University of Kentucky. He spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career with the Kings before joining the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017. He later played for the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets.

During his NBA career, Cousins earned approximately $91 million in salary, in addition to income from endorsements and other business opportunities. His career earnings could have been significantly higher had a series of serious injuries not interrupted his prime.

Early Life 

DeMarcus Amir Cousins was born on August 13, 1990, in Mobile, Alabama. He developed an interest in basketball at an early age and attended LeFlore Magnet High School, where his performances quickly attracted national attention.

Cousins became one of the top high school basketball prospects in the United States and was selected to participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game. His combination of size, strength and basketball skills made him a highly sought-after college recruit.

He committed to the University of Kentucky, where he played under coach John Calipari during the 2009–10 season. In his only college season, Cousins averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

He helped Kentucky reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament and established himself as one of the leading prospects for the 2010 NBA Draft.

NBA Career

The Sacramento Kings selected Cousins with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. He quickly became one of the team’s most important players and developed into an elite offensive and rebounding force.

During his time in Sacramento, Cousins became known for consistently producing double-doubles. He averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game for six consecutive seasons and earned four consecutive All-Star selections from 2015 through 2018.

Despite his impressive production, Cousins was also known for his fiery personality and confrontational playing style. His relationship with coaches and teammates occasionally attracted controversy, but his performances established him as one of the NBA’s premier centers.

In February 2017, Sacramento traded Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans. He joined fellow All-Star big man Anthony Davis, creating one of the league’s most imposing frontcourts.

Cousins was having one of the best seasons of his career in 2017–18, averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. However, his season ended when he suffered a devastating torn Achilles tendon.

The injury had a major impact on both his career and earning potential.

Injuries and Later NBA Career

Following the Achilles injury, Cousins signed a one-year contract with the Golden State Warriors in 2018. The move gave him an opportunity to rehabilitate his value while competing for an NBA championship.

Although Cousins returned to the court, another serious injury, a torn quadriceps muscle, limited his contribution during the Warriors’ playoff run. Golden State eventually lost to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Cousins subsequently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019 but suffered another major injury, a torn ACL, before he could make his regular-season debut.

He later attempted to rebuild his career through short-term contracts with several teams, including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets.

While Cousins remained capable of providing scoring and rebounding, recurring injuries and declining athleticism prevented him from returning to his previous All-Star level.

Contracts, Salary

DeMarcus Cousins earned approximately $91 million in NBA salary throughout his professional career.

His first NBA contract came after Sacramento selected him fifth overall in 2010. His rookie deal was worth approximately $13.7 million over four years.

After establishing himself as one of the league’s best young centers, Cousins signed a four-year, $62 million contract extension with Sacramento in 2013. The agreement became the largest financial commitment of his career at that point and reflected his importance to the franchise.

His salary continued to increase as he established himself as an All-Star. By the 2017–18 season, Cousins was earning more than $18 million annually.

Before suffering his Achilles injury, Cousins was considered a potential candidate for a massive long-term contract that could have been worth more than $200 million. The injury dramatically changed his career trajectory and limited his ability to secure another major NBA contract.

In 2018, he signed a one-year, $5.3 million contract with the Golden State Warriors.

The following year, he agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, his ACL injury prevented him from playing for the team during the 2019–20 season.

His later NBA earnings came primarily through short-term contracts, veteran minimum deals and 10-day contracts.

Major NBA Contracts

• 2010–2014: Four-year rookie contract with the Sacramento Kings worth about $13.7 million.
• 2014–2018: Four-year, $62 million extension with the Sacramento Kings.
• 2018–2019: One-year, $5.3 million contract with the Golden State Warriors.
• 2019–2020: One-year, $3.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
• 2020 onward: Multiple short-term, veteran minimum and 10-day contracts.

Cousins also earned money from endorsement agreements and other commercial opportunities during his NBA career.

Endorsements

At the height of his career, Cousins supplemented his NBA salary with endorsement income. His All-Star status and reputation as one of the NBA’s most recognizable big men made him an attractive figure for brands.

His endorsement earnings were particularly significant during his peak years. Between June 2018 and June 2019, Cousins reportedly earned approximately $45 million from salary and endorsements combined, briefly placing him among the world’s highest-paid athletes during that period.

His earning potential declined considerably after his Achilles, quadriceps and ACL injuries.

Real Estate

DeMarcus Cousins has also invested part of his wealth in luxury real estate.

In October 2017, he paid $6.5 million for a sprawling estate in Las Vegas. The property sits on approximately two acres and features about 20,000 square feet of living space.

The luxury home includes 10 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms and was designed more like a private resort than a traditional residence.

Cousins later listed the property for $8 million in September 2020. He eventually sold it for approximately $7.5 million in March 2021.

The transaction represented another significant real estate investment during his professional basketball career.

Personal Life

Cousins has largely kept his personal life away from the spotlight while maintaining a public profile through basketball.

He has also remained connected to communities in places where he played, particularly Sacramento. During his NBA career, he made significant charitable contributions, including a reported $1 million commitment to Sacramento families and community programs after signing his major contract extension with the Kings.

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