Report: Lakers Not Expected to Pursue DeMarcus Cousins

The Los Angeles Lakers are potential suitors for DeMarcus Cousins. The Houston Rockets will release the center, and he will have to find a home somewhere else. According to recent reports, Cousins won’t reunite with the Lakers.

Dan Woike and Broderick Turner reported that the Lakers will make some moves at the buyout market, adding that Cousins is not even an option for the team.

The Houston Rockets are releasing DeMarcus Cousins, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. This allows the four-time All-Star to find a team elsewhere and garner interest on the open market.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2021

The team waived veteran Quinn Cook, and there are several major options for the front office.

“There are no immediate plans to fill Cook’s roster spot, and multiple people with knowledge of the situation said they don’t expect the Lakers to reunite with Houston center DeMarcus Cousins if he becomes available as expected,” Woike and Turner wrote. “The team will, however, monitor the buyout and trade markets for potential additions to their frontcourt.”

Lakers to bring another veteran instead of DeMarcus Cousins

Big man Anthony Davis is out of the floor, and he will stay on the sidelines for quite some time. LA needs an extra hand now that he is out. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel can easily use Kyle Kuzma, Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, and Markieff Morris. This doesn’t change the fact that LA will need additional help on the defensive end.

Cousins tore his ACL prior to the 2019-20 NBA season. He was on the Los Angeles Lakers roster, but didn’t suit up for the team. The veteran has finally returned to the floor.

He has sustained several serious injuries in the past few seasons. Cousins is averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game with the team.

So, LA may not bring Cousins on the floor, but Rob Pelinka will definitely make a move on the buyout market at some point in the regular season. Cook is gone now and the team will have to find a replacement for him.

Schroder and Davis are out, and LeBron James needs more help on the floor. His averages are pretty awesome, but LeBron can’t do it all by himself. The four-time NBA champion will need veteran experience and offensive power.