NBA Free Agency: 3 Players Los Angeles Lakers could sign if they fail to land Kawhi Leonard

#1 DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins featured for the Warriors during the NBA Finals

Just 20 months ago, DeMarcus Cousins was widely acknowledged as the NBA's best big, and the Kentucky Wildcats product was well on his way to securing a max contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.

However, Cousins' career was derailed by a career-threatening Achilles tear, and while the 28-year-old returned to fitness during his stop-gap season with the Golden State Warriors, NBA teams remain reluctant to offer Boogie a new deal.

The four-time All-Star is believed to be available on a one-year $5.3 million deal, and despite playing on a stacked Golden State roster last season, Cousins still managed averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in just 25.7 minutes per game.

The Lakers will have little competition to sign Cousins, and the center will be motivated by the prospect of contending in Los Angeles while resuming his dominant partnership with Anthony Davis.