The Los Angeles Lakers, in addition to potentially losing a lot of minutes and experience at the guard spot, could also lose some of their depth at center. While Anthony Davis proved in the postseason that the Lakers are at their best when he is at center this physicality of the position makes it ideal for the Lakers to have some other players who are ready to bang down low with the biggest players in the league.
All of the above, as well as the fact that he was a Laker last season and is good friends with Davis, makes DeMarcus Cousins an interesting target for the Lakers. However, if the Lakers are looking for guys to play minutes on opening night, Cousins likely won’t be ready. His agent Jeff Schwartz told SLAM’s Austin Kent that he’s “very close,” but also that it’s realistic Cousins is not ready to start the season.
Cousins injured his ACL in a pick-up game last August but his recovery taking over a year probably has more to do with the fact the ACL tear was the third severe injury he’s suffered since the 2018 season. The Lakers or another team can afford to be patient, seems like the best hope as far as Cousins signing with a team before the season begins.
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