Potential Lakers Target DeMarcus Cousins Makes NBA Return Decision

Former Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins sustained an ACL injury last summer and he has yet to make NBA return. The coronavirus pandemic gave him plenty of time to recover. Cousins has been plagued with injuries throughout his professional career. is he ready to hit the basketball court again? Shams Charania of The Athletic took to Twitter to discuss Cousins’ readiness to return.

 “Multiple teams have expressed interest in DeMarcus Cousins but have been told the four-time All-Star will sit out the resumed season and continue rehab for full return in 2020-21.”

This may be a big blow to the Los Angeles Lakers. The team is a front-runner to re-sign the center as the league plans to resume the season at Disney World in July. The Lakers offered Cousins a one-year deal worth $3.5 million in July. After he tore his ACL during practice last summer, the Lakers signed backup center Dwight Howard.

DeMarcus Cousins plans NBA return

Howard plays really well, but the Lakers were still considered an option for Cousins. He spent some time with the Lakers before they released him on February 24 to make enough room for Markieff Morris.

Charania reported that several teams have shown interested in signing Cousins. This includes the Miami Heat. The team may still try to sign him next season.

The Boston Celtics are also included in the talks. They have a lot of big guys on the roster, but none of them are too great. Boston ruled out signing Cousins last summer, because of the potential for “drama,” as reported by Mark Murphy for the Boston Herald.

Cousins has career averages of 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. The superstar center is a six-time All-Star.

“He is still a bargain,” a general manager said of Cousins. “If he can stay healthy, he probably won’t produce quite the way we are all hoping or the way we are used to seeing from him, but even if he is 70 or 80% of his old self, there are a lot of teams who could use a guy like that, versatile, big body, can do a lot of things for you offensively.”

Cousins’ injury happened on the heels of his torn Achiles tendon while he was playing with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2018. Cousins signed a one-year deal with the Golden State that summer and came back in 2019, playing 30 games and eight playoff games. He was averaging 16.8 points with 48.0 percent shooting in the regular season.