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Los Angeles Lakers reportedly interested in DeMarcus Cousins

By Scott Rogust

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 talk with DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during a time out in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 talk with DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during a time out in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on December 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly expected to be one of the teams pursuing former Houston Rockets big man DeMarcus Cousins.

On Saturday, reports surfaced that the Houston Rockets are planning to part ways with veteran center DeMarcus Cousins after spending less than a year with the organization. What made the decision puzzling was that the team decided to guarantee Cousins’ $2.3 million salary for the remainder of the season. And now, they are splitting up.

That left many wondering which team Cousins will end up on for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign. Of course, contending teams came to mind, and one obvious team is now linked to the big man.

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the teams to pursue Cousins once he is officially no longer part of the Rockets.

A return to Los Angeles makes sense for Cousins

As O’Connor mentions, there won’t be too many suitors for Cousins services. The veteran recently recovered from a torn Achilles tendon, a torn quadriceps and a torn ACL in the past three years and did not put up the greatest statistical numbers this season with the Rockets.

In 25 games, Cousins has averaged 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists, while shooting 37.6-percent from the field (career-low). In those contests, Cousins only started in 11 of them.

So why would the Lakers be interested in Cousins services based off this information? The answer is easy — they will be without Anthony Davis for quite some time.

Last week, Davis left Los Angeles’ game against the Denver Nuggets with what was originally described as an Achilles strain. However it was later diagnosed as a right calf strain and that he would miss two-to-three weeks. But the timetable for a return changed on Friday, as head coach Frank Vogel announced Davis will miss four weeks due to the strain.

The Lakers are not exactly in need of a center, since they already have Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell on their depth chart. But given this team is looking to repeat as NBA champions at season’s end, why wouldn’t they bring back Cousins? Besides, the veteran would actually have the opportunity to play and help the Lakers win another Larry O’Brien trophy.

Next. 4 moves to help the Lakers survive without Anthony Davis. dark

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