The 75 greatest NBA players of the 2010s, ranked

29) DeMarcus Cousins

Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins ranks as one of the most productive players of the 2010s, although injuries prematurely ended his career. Cousins was the fifth pick of the Sacramento Kings in 2010 and quickly became both dominant and polarizing.

In seven seasons with the Kings, he posted 21.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, though his volatile personality probably contributed to his being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans for a relatively small return. At the time, it appeared as though it would be a clear win for the Pelicans, with them being able to pair Cousins with Anthony Davis, forming one of the best front-court pairings of the 2010s.

Over 65 games over two seasons, the Cousins posted 25 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Unfortunately, he ruptured his achilles, which effectively ended his run atop the league.

He later signed with the Warriors but played only 30 games to close out the decade. With averages of 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 565 games, Cousins was among the best players of the 2010s, though injuries have held him to only 89 games thus far in the 2020s.