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Why the Lakers should be signing DeMarcus Cousins right now

By Steven Kubitza

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 Lakers need to add DeMarcus Cousins right away while Anthony Davis remains sidelined with an injury.

The Los Angeles Lakers need to fill the void left by an injured Anthony Davis. He is expected back next month, but in the meantime, the team lacks that dominant big man inside. Marc Gasol is just not the same player he once was and that makes Davis’ absence loom much larger.

DeMarcus Cousins should be a player on the top of the team’s radar. He was just released by the Houston Rockets on Tuesday and the Lakers should be looking for a reunion that lasts the rest of the season and into the postseason.

The Lakers should do what it takes to sign Demarcus Cousins

Cousins originally signed with the Lakers in the summer of 2019. He then tore his ACL and never appeared in a game before being released in February.

He was looking solid in Houston before his release, averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in just over 20 minutes of playing time per game. But that Rockets team is going through a bit of a rebuilding phase so Cousins never fit long-term.

The veteran can show up in Los Angeles and continue playing around 15-20 minutes per game with Davis out and when the star center returns. Fans will remember the two playing together in New Orleans and dominating in their limited time together.

Reuniting that duo was what the Lakers were trying to do when they signed Cousins the first time. An ACL injury ruined that.

Cousins has dealt with questions about his health for several years now. He appears to be healthy in 2021 and is the top option available on the market. The alternative for the Lakers is waiting for buyouts to take place that may never happen.

Davis is coming back in a few weeks so even if Cousins is average or even below-average in his new role, the Lakers’ season won’t be derailed.

This is a low-risk, high-reward move that could even lead to the team keeping Cousins beyond this season to pair with Davis. Why not maximize the star power around LeBron James and Davis during their time in Los Angeles?

Next. 5 buyout candidates that could help an NBA contender. dark

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