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DeMarcus Cousins to undergo medical procedures ahead of Rio Olympics

2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup - Day Fourteen

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 14: DeMarcus Cousins of the USA celebrates during the 2014 FIBA World Basketball Championship final match between USA and Serbia at Palacio de los Deportes on September 14, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

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USA Basketball is expected to announce their roster in June for this summer’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Given the dearth of big men in the pool, DeMarcus Cousins has a strong chance to make the team, but he’s going to have to have some minor medical procedures beforehand.

From CSN Bay Area’s James Ham:

“I have been preparing,” Cousins said when asked about Team USA following Friday’s win over the Phoenix Suns. “I have some decisions to make before the end of the season. I’ve got to get some procedures done on my body -- on my feet, we’ll see.”

Cousins is in noticeable pain following games. He walks gingerly on his oversized feet, and it’s not without reason. At 6-11, 270-plus-pounds, Cousins’ lower legs take a beating this season. From an early season Achilles strain to multiple rolled ankles, Cousins has played in 61 games this season with 10 games remaining.

“I’ve been playing with tendinitis in my feet all season,” Cousins told a small gathering of reporters. “That’s why you see me walking up and down funny. Hopefully this procedure goes well and I can start preparing for Team USA.”

The Kings’ season will be over in mid-April and Team USA will hold their training camp in Las Vegas in mid-July ahead of the Olympics, which begin on August 5. That will give Cousins roughly three months to get his body right beforehand. If none of these procedures are significant, that’s very doable.