With Paul George looking more likely to stay with the Thunder, the Lakers are turning their attention to DeMarcus Cousins, tweets Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. League sources say that L.A. is considering a short-term max offer for the free agent center.
Cousins was headed for a full max deal in New Orleans before suffering a torn ACL in January. The Pelicans grabbed the No. 6 seed without him and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals, raising questions of whether the organization would be fine without him.
Cousins has played less than a full season in New Orleans after being acquired in a trade with the Kings, but he has put up All-Star numbers. In 65 games, he averaged 25.0 points and 12.7 rebounds while forming a dangerous frontcourt combination alongside Anthony Davis.
The Lakers, who have been seeking another star to help attract LeBron James to Los Angeles, could use some help up front. Incumbent starter Brook Lopez is a free agent and Ivica Zubac is the only center currently on the roster. O’Connor notes that in 2017, James referred to Cousins “the best big man in our game.”
In an interview last month with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, Cousins said he is happy with the progress he has made and he hopes to be ready for training camp.
“Just getting this amount of time to rest my body, I’ve never had this much rest probably since I picked up a basketball.” Cousins said. “I feel like it’s been tremendous for my body. I feel great. I feel fresh. I feel brand-new. It’s crazy to say.”
Does Cousin fit in with the Lakers?
Why all of a sudden do they want him?
Because Center is a need
Cousins could fit, and there have been reports of the Lakers’ interest here in LA during each offseason and trade deadline since Boogie’s last season in Sacramento.
The Lakers probably pushed this latest story to publicly identify another of the various star players that they’d be willing to pursue if LBJ took his talents to Los Angeles.
That said, I’d rather have Deandre Jordan than Cousins. Surprised that Jordan appears so enamored of Dallas that no one has been giving Jordan-to-the-Lakers in the event of a LeBron James signing much thought.
Because they struck out on PG and are looking to give a bad contract to 7-footer coming off an Achilles injury to appease lebron.
Guess we’re getting desperate?
Honestly Dwight Howard makes sense after you get your studs. Howard at league minimum is greater then Cousins on a max salary
Oh god no. Cousins is a top player at the position. Dwight not so much
I hope this happens. Been saying it all year that I hope they got him. He’s still young and can play for a while with these young guys. Doubt he will not be the same player with how good these doctors and rehabilitation is now a days. Get him and Lebron and that instantly makes them a playoff team.
He’s coming off an Achilles injury and plays almost no defense. Pass
12.7 rebounds is no defense?
Cousins still a top 3 big man any day of the week. Also rebounding does not make you a good defender. What are either one of you talking about
Let me guess almost 2 steals a game and 2 block shots a game doesn’t make him a defender either. So if he gets the rebound the other team can’t score on that possession . If he stands there and the other team rebounds and scores isn’t that bad defense? If his rebounds steals and blocks aren’t good defense what is? Rebounding is kinda important
No, it isn’t. Harden was pulling double digits last year in boards and he’s a human revolving door on the defensive end.
Cousins may not have the discipline necessary to manage his new fragilities. A 1year contract would see to that.
Lebron, Kawhi, and Cousins?
Cousins has always been floated as a target by the team. Media just tried to will the LeBron, pg, Leonard super team super hard.
DMC is at the level of the best centers in history, this year until the injury was an MVP candidate, man his line of stats is absolutely out of this world, best center since Shaq… if he recovers well is much much much better a player than PG13 or Kawhi, way better, probably I would rather even him alone than the other 2 together, would be cheaper.