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The LA Lakers might be unsure of what to do in the trade market, but they are still eyeing possible upgrades. One avenue they are pursuing is rolling the dice on a former All-Star big man.
According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, the LA Lakers plan to bring in DeMarcus Cousins for a workout this Friday. Cousins, 32, most recently played in the league last season.
Cousins started the year with the Milwaukee Bucks, but was released after 17 games. He then went on to play 32 games for the Denver Nuggets behind two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. In that span, he posted averages of 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
The LA Lakers are on the brink of a playoff spot, and are looking to make upgrades to their supporting cast. Given that he is still only in his early 30's, Cousins still has something left to give an NBA team. At worst, he can fill the void left by Anthony Davis until he returns from injury.
DeMarcus Cousins has history with LA Lakers star
At his peak, DeMarcus Cousins was one of the top centers in the NBA. He has been named to four All-Star teams and received All-NBA honors on two separate occasions. That might not be the only reason the LA Lakers are looking to bring him in for a workout.
Throughout his career, Anthony Davis has always preferred to play alongside a center. One of the many to share the frontcourt with him is Cousins. During their time with the New Orleans Pelicans, they formed one of the most unstoppable frontcourt duos in the league.
In his two seasons with the Pelicans, Cousins averaged 25 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. Seeing the success he had alongside AD, the Lakers could be trying to recreate some of that magic.
Worst case scenario, Cousins comes in and provides some frontcourt help for LA. He has playoff experience and could help the Lakers as they look to make a push for the postseason. On top of that, Cousins is an ideal fit for the Lakers' second unit. Since he can score from the mid-range and beyond the arc, he won't clog the lane for Russell Westbrook to attack the rim.
There is no telling what kind of shape he's in, but this move could work for LA. Given his connection with AD, he should be able to seamlessly fit in alongside their stars.
Guess the Lakers players!
